Jul 19, 2021

Ahern Agribusiness announces CEO succession

San Diego, California-based Ahern Agribusiness Inc., a vegetable seed distribution company, announced July 19 that Jose Luis Gonzalez has been designated the successor to the long-time chief executive officer and company founder Kevin Ahern.

Ahern, current CEO, will continue with his role and his active involvement with the company as a member of the executive board of directors while ensuring continuity of leadership and a smooth transition until Gonzalez’ formal appointment. Gonzalez currently serves as executive vice president. After his formal appointment as CEO, he will also join Ahern’s executive board of directors.

“It has been my privilege to build Ahern alongside a team that has true passion for the land and the growers we serve. We have a lot to be proud of and I’m excited about the growth opportunities that lie ahead for our customers, suppliers and employees,” Ahern said in a news release.

Over the past four decades, Ahern has grown into one of the leading vegetable seed companies in North America, distributing over 1,000 vegetable seed varieties on behalf of more than 30 corporate and independent seed breeding suppliers in North America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia to over 4,000 customers.

Earlier this year, the company announced its acquisition by an investment group led by Tene Investment Funds, an Israeli growth-focused private equity fund, and Pulse Agri Investments, an Israeli investment fund specializing in agri-business.

“We admire the legacy of excellence and innovation that Kevin has built. We are confident that with Kevin on our board of directors and under Jose Luis’s leadership, Ahern will continue to prosper and achieve its ambitious growth plans to diversify its product portfolio, expand research capabilities and access AI-powered technologies,” said Roee Tamari, Pulse Agri Investments managing partner and Ahern Seeds executive chairman of the board.

Gonzalez brings to the role of CEO a track record of success as executive vice president and earlier as director of Ahern Integrated Solutions (AIS), and over 20 years of experience in the vegetable seed business. As AIS director, he was instrumental in expanding and advancing Ahern’s innovation in the areas of new genetics, agricultural technology and biological inputs.

Ahern develops and markets vegetable seed varieties and provides variety-specific crop advice, with a special focus on Mexico and Central America. With its extensive expertise in plant genetics and crop management, Ahern evaluates thousands of vegetable seed varieties for suppliers, such as Bayer, BHN, Enza Zaden, The Limagrain Group (HM Clause, Hazera and Vilmorin), Syngenta, Top Seeds, and Vitalis Organic Seeds to determine the most effective seed for a customer’s conditions. In addition, Ahern provides unparalleled customer service and logistical and post-sales support.

“I thank Kevin and the executive board of directors for the trust they have placed in me and look forward to taking Ahern to the next level by growing our customer base, expanding our product portfolio and delivering value to our customers through cutting-edge innovation,” Gonzalez said.

Founded in 1981, Ahern is a leading seed distribution company focused on Mexico and Central America that evaluates and markets vegetable seeds to deliver the best seed varieties, technology and crop advice to each grower. With expertise in plant genetics and crop management, Ahern evaluates plant size, uniformity, cover, vigor, maturity, fruit size, shape, color, texture, disease resistance, soil profilesand more, so customers get the best vegetable seed for their application.

Ahern is owned by Tene Investment Funds, an Israeli growth-focused private equity fund, and Pulse Agri Investments, an Israeli investment fund specializing in agri-business.