Nov 3, 2023

Stokes Seeds hires three U.S. territory managers

Stokes Seeds, Holland, Michigan, has added three U.S. territory managers to its staff.

Each territory manager is responsible for seed and service to growers in their region, providing commercial vegetable seed recommendations and collaborating with growers to match seed options to their production and profit goals, according to a news release from Stokes Seeds.

Wis.-Minn. territory manager

Joe Szczepanski is the new territory manager for Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa and North and South Dakota.
“Joe’s strong agricultural background, crop production experience and enthusiasm for supporting growers will allow him to make an immediate impact in this region,” Bruce Ulmer, U.S. sales manager for Stokes Seeds, said in a news release.
Szczepanski earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. As a Certified Crop Advisor, he is an active participant in the Wisconsin agricultural community. He is on the Partners of Progressive Agriculture Board. He has experience as an on-farm agronomist, and most recently, was a store and sales manager for a John Deere dealership, overseeing new technology introductions and staff training. He resides in the Stevens Point, Wisconsin, area.

N.J.-Del.-Md. territory manager

Vince Winkler is now Stokes Seeds’ territory manager for New Jersey, Delaware and Eastern Maryland.
“Vince’s strong agricultural background, vegetable crop experience and career-long involvement in production agriculture will make him an immediate asset to growers in the region,” Ulmer said in a news release.
Winkler earned a bachelor’s degree in agronomy crop and soil management from Purdue University. He has a background in commercial vegetable production and seed sales, and was most recently territory manager for an irrigation company. Additionally, Winkler has experience with nutrient management, chemistry application and food safety. He resides with his family in the Middletown, Delaware, area.

Florida territory manager

Lane Fraleigh is the new territory manager for central and southern Florida.
“Lane’s strong background in commercial vegetable product development, crop production and seed sales will make him an immediate asset to growers in the region,” Scott Rush, southeast sales manager for Stokes Seeds, said in a news release.
Fraleigh earned a bachelor’s degree in horticultural science from Auburn University. He has a background in vegetable production and seed sales, and was most recently territory manager for a vegetable seed breeder-producer. Additionally, Fraleigh has experience in irrigation systems and turfgrass management. He resides with his family in the Bonita Springs, Florida, area.

Stokes Seeds distributes commercial vegetable seed in the U.S. and Canada, with operations in Buffalo, New York; Vineland, New Jersey; Holland, Michigan; Moultrie, Georgia; LaBelle, Florida; and Thorold, Ontario. With twenty-five experienced territory managers, new varieties from world-class vendors and exceptional customer service, Stokes Seeds continues to be the seed supplier of choice for growers across North America.