Marrone Bio founder Pam Marrone to retire as CEO

Marrone Bio Innovations founder Pam Marrone is retiring as the bioprotection company’s chief executive officer.

The board of directors of the Davis, California-based company has started searching for Marrone’s replacement. She will continue as CEO during the search process. Marrone also will continue to serve on the board of directors as a non-executive member.

“Dr. Marrone’s decades of unwavering and tireless dedication have shaped the landscape of biologicals in agriculture in a meaningful and positive way. We’d like to thank her for her vision and leadership, which has established Marrone Bio as a significant player in the sustainable bioprotection and plant health solution industry,” said Bob Woods, the board of directors president. “Pam has guided Marrone Bio to a new level of growth and expansion, and her legacy will serve as the platform for the company’s future growth.”

Under Marrone’s leadership, the company commercialized 10 products from six active ingredients, three of which received top industry awards for “best biopesticide.” The company has received nearly 400 patents with another 100 pending. During her tenure as CEO, Marrone Bio consistently achieved above industry average growth with revenues expanding at a 21% compound annual growth rate from 2015 through 2018.

“Today, we stand stronger than ever as a company with a world-class team in place and an unmatched product portfolio, aided by our recent transformational acquisitions,” said Marrone. “After 14 years as CEO, this is an ideal time for me to serve Marrone Bio in a different, advisory capacity as the company enters its next phase of growth and drives meaningful, long-term shareholder value.

“We’ve successfully brought science-based biological solutions to farmers and changed the perception of the entire biological category,” she added. “I’m confident that this transition will prove fruitful as the company flourishes into a larger, more mature and profitable company. On behalf of the entire management team and board of directors, I’d like to thank our dedicated employees, customers and shareholders.”

Marrone Bio Innovations pursues discovery, development and sale of innovative biological products for crop protection, plant health and waterway systems treatment that help customers operate more sustainably while increasing their return on investment.

MBI has screened over 18,000 microorganisms and 350 plant extracts, leveraging its in-depth knowledge of plant and soil microbiomes enhanced by advanced molecular technologies and natural product chemistry to rapidly develop seven product lines. Supported by a robust portfolio of over 400 issued and pending patents, MBI’s currently available commercial products are Regalia, Stargus, Grandevo, Venerate, Majestene, Haven and Amplitude, Zelto Jet Oxide and Jet Ag and Zequanox, with a breakthrough bioherbicide and biofumigant in the Company’s product pipeline. MBI also recently completed the acquisition of Pro Farm Finland-based Pro Farm’s technology employs a proprietary technology derived from wood waste to stimulate plant growth and improve plant health, resulting in improved yields and crop quality.

Learn more at www.marronebio.com.