Jul 1, 2021

Sakata Seed America boosts tomato breeding team with Jeremy Sisson

Sakata Seed America recently announced the further expansion of its robust tomato breeding team to include accomplished industry veteran, Jeremy Sisson, in a new, specialized role.

Sisson joins Sakata as senior tomato breeder with an emphasis on the saladette tomato segment.

Sisson boasts over 15 years of previous experience in the tomato breeding arena, specializing in the saladette category.

“The saladette category – both indeterminate and determinate – is an extremely complex and competitive category with huge potential.  As Sakata continues to build and secure its leadership position in the tomato segment, we expect further growth of our market share to come with the leadership and expertise that Jeremy brings to an already outstanding team,” Jeff Zischke, senior director, research and development for Sakata, said in a news release.

Sisson is based out of the Sakata Fort Myers Research Station; an ideal base to foster collaboration with Sakata’s breeding, biotechnology and pathology resources.

“Jeremy is a tremendous addition to our team,” said Bryan Zingel, Sakata’s senior tomato product manager. “Sakata has a strong and developing portfolio of products in the saladette category and a skilled and passionate team positioning us for success.  Our extensive network of international experts and global partners further enable us to understand and tackle this segment, providing better value to growers; and, ultimately, supplying superior products to end-consumers.”

“My professional and personal passions align well with the Sakata mission, making this opportunity particularly compelling to me. I am laser-focused on the development of sustainable and innovative solutions in the creation of vegetable hybrids to meet the modern challenges of different geographical production regions, with the end goal of creating high-quality, healthy vegetables for people to enjoy,” Sisson said. “Joining a company with the reputation of Sakata’s creates endless channels of opportunity for cross-functional connection and exceptional product development.

Sisson received a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences from West Virginia State University, where he also received a Master of Science (M.S.) in Biotechnology.

Headquartered in Morgan Hill, California, Sakata Seed America is a major research, seed production and marketing-distribution subsidiary of Sakata Seed Corp., established in 1913. Sakata Seed America serves as the headquarters for the North American operations. 

Jeremy Sisson recently joined Sakata Seed America. Photo: Sakata