NewLeaf Symbiotics Rapidly Grows in Key Expertise

ST. LOUIS, MO, UNITED STATES - May 16, 2016 - NewLeaf Symbiotics, a non-GMO agricultural biologicals company, announced today the appointment to its team of two key new members. Alan Gould, Ph.D., has joined the NewLeaf Science Advisory Board (SAB) and Brock Waggoner is appointed the company’s new Manager, Field Biology and Agronomy.

Gould has a distinguished 40-year career in agriculture. He served as Director of Plant Genetics and Biotechnology during his 12-year tenure at Dow Chemical, and was EVP for R&D at RiceTec. Gould is a Director and Advisor at Verdant Partners for the last 15 years focused on Ag and Biotech M&A. He earned his Ph.D. in Plant Cell Genetics at the University of Leicester. “The next wave of technology and products for agriculture is going to come from the microbiome,” said Gould. “NewLeaf is making rapid progress in this arena and I am proud to become a member of its SAB.” 

NewLeaf is researching and developing easy-to-apply products that can deliver high concentrations of bacteria called Pink Pigmented Facultative Methylotrophs (PPFMs) and other naturally occurring beneficial bacteria. 

Waggoner joins NewLeaf from Monsanto’s Stone Seed, where he was a district sales manager. Prior, he was a Crop Protection Research Scientist for Monsanto Company, developing next generation crop protection and biologicals. Waggoner received an M.S. in Weed Science from the University of Tennessee, and brings a passion for agriculture from growing up on a five-generation farm in Illinois. He is working in NewLeaf’s field biology and business development group focusing on field trials and seed treatments.  Waggoner stated, “I’ve worked on Integrated Pest Management and soil fertility my whole career and I’m ecstatic to be at the forefront of the biologicals revolution with NewLeaf.”

The rapidly growing agricultural biological company has developed a platform for commercialization in 2016 to provide sustainable crop production and nutrient enhancing bacteria.

NewLeaf’s CEO Tom Laurita added, “We are so pleased to bring on team members of the caliber of Alan and Brock.  NewLeaf has generated great momentum and we are making phenomenal progress.”

About NewLeaf Symbiotics: NewLeaf Symbiotics is a venture-funded, non-GMO agricultural biologicals company engaged in discovery, development, production, and commercialization of products containing beneficial plant bacteria.  Its 30+member team is based in BRDG Park at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center in St Louis, Missouri. Visit NewLeaf Symbiotics at www.newleafsym.com.

About BRDG Park at the Danforth Center
Bio Research & Development Growth (BRDG) Park at the Danforth Plant Science Center helps life science companies bridge research, resources and relationships to achieve commercial success. In addition to providing world-class wet laboratories, office space and a prominent incubator, BRDG Park’s location on the Danforth Center’s campus facilitates access to the intellectual capital of top scientists, as well as to greenhouses, growth chambers, microscopy and proteomics facilities and other vital resources. Located in suburban St. Louis County, Missouri, BRDG Park is being developed by Wexford Science +Technology LLC, a BioMed Realty Company, a development company led by a seasoned team of real estate, finance and engineering experts specializing in major university facilities and science research parks nationwide. More information is available at www.BRDG-Park.com