Corteva outlines leadership for two companies in planned split
Corteva names leadership for crop protection and seed companies ahead of planned 2026 separation into two public businesses. The move separates Corteva’s crop protection and seed businesses into focused companies with distinct leadership and strategies.
Key takeaways
- Corteva plans to split into two public companies by late 2026
- Luke Kissam will lead the crop protection company New Corteva
- Chuck Magro will lead the seed and genetics business SpinCo
Corteva has named a CEO and executive leadership teams for two independent companies it plans to create through a separation expected in the fourth quarter of 2026.
Luther “Luke” Kissam will join Corteva June 1 as CEO of its crop protection business and will become CEO of the standalone crop protection company, referred to as New Corteva, at separation. The company also named its executive leadership team, including Jeff Rudolph as chief financial officer, Brook Cunningham as chief commercial officer, Ralph Ford as chief integrated operations officer, Reza Rasoulpour as chief technology officer, and Jim Alcombright as chief digital and information officer.
Kissam previously served as chairman, president and CEO of Albemarle and held earlier roles at Merisant and Monsanto. Corteva Chair Greg Page said Kissam was selected following a broad search and cited his experience leading public companies and driving growth.
The company also outlined leadership for its seed and genetics business, referred to as SpinCo, which will operate as a separate public company after the split. Corteva CEO Chuck Magro will become CEO of SpinCo. Its leadership team will include David Johnson as chief financial officer, Judd O’Connor as chief commercial and operations officer, Sam Eathington as chief technology officer, Audrey Grimm as chief people officer, Brian Lutz as chief digital and information officer, and Jennifer Johnson as chief legal officer.
Magro said both companies will focus on innovation and operational performance. He added that the seed business will build on germplasm and biotechnology capabilities, while the crop protection company will emphasize differentiated products and an asset-light operating model.
Both companies plan to host an investor day Sept. 15 at the New York Stock Exchange. The separation remains on track for completion in late 2026.
FAQ
Q: When will Corteva complete its separation?
A: The separation is expected in the fourth quarter of 2026.
Q: Who will lead the crop protection company?
A: Luke Kissam will serve as CEO of the new crop protection company.
Q: Who will lead the seed and genetics company?
A: Chuck Magro will become CEO of the seed and genetics business.
Q: What are the two new companies?
A: A crop protection company (New Corteva) and a seed and genetics company (SpinCo).
Q: When is the investor day scheduled?
A: Both companies plan to host an investor day on Sept. 15.
What this means
The move separates Corteva’s crop protection and seed businesses into focused companies with distinct leadership and strategies.