Corteva Announces CEO of its Future Crop Protection Company
Luke Kissam, former Chairman, President and CEO of Albemarle, joins company on June 1
Corteva Inc. (NYSE: CTVA) announced today that its Board of Directors has named Luther (“Luke”) Kissam the chief executive officer of “New Corteva,” the future publicly-traded, differentiated crop protection company resulting from the current company’s planned separation in the fourth quarter of 2026.
New Corteva will be innovation-driven in both its product portfolio and its operating model, leveraging its technological leadership to deliver for farmers while also running an asset-light, efficient business. The company intends to make targeted investments to support growth and leverage its first-mover advantage in nature-inspired technologies to pursue opportunities promising attractive returns in markets that reward differentiation.
Luke will join Corteva on June 1 as CEO of its crop protection business, becoming CEO of the new, public company at separation, which is on track for the fourth quarter of 2026.
“Over the past several months, we have conducted a comprehensive search and assessment of many strong candidates, and we appointed Luke because it is clear that he is the right leader to continue to strengthen New Corteva’s position as a global market leader in the dynamic, competitive crop protection industry,” said Corteva Chair Greg Page. “Luke’s track record of propelling public companies towards sustained, innovation-led growth and integrated, market-focused solutions will serve farmers, customers and shareholders equally well.”
Luke brings to the role extensive experience in specialty chemicals as well as agriculture: he previously served as chairman, president and CEO of Albemarle Corporation, a global specialty chemicals leader, until his retirement from the company in June 2020. Luke joined Albemarle in 2003 as vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary and served as senior vice president, manufacturing and law, and corporate secretary from 2008 until his promotion to president in 2010.
Prior to joining Albemarle, Luke served as vice president, general counsel and secretary of Merisant Company, having previously served as associate general counsel at Monsanto. His most recent role was senior advisor at Bernhard Capital Partners Management.
“New Corteva will have every ingredient it needs to continue its upward trajectory: a talented leadership team, knowledgeable, passionate employees and loyal customers who understand the difference innovation creates – on their fields and for their bottom line. I am excited to take the helm of a company poised for such transformational success,” said Kissam.
He continued, “I grew up in a farming community, and that’s where I feel most at home. I also value the critical role agriculture plays in our economy and our society. For all these reasons, it’s a pleasure to rejoin an industry delivering solutions to help farmers grow more food – and fuel – to power our growing world.”
Members of New Corteva executive leadership will be hosting an investor day on September 15 at the New York Stock Exchange; details on attendance and participation will be shared in the coming weeks.
Corteva Announces Executive Leadership Team of its Future Crop Protection Company
Corteva Inc. (NYSE: CTVA) announced today the executive leadership team that will lead “New Corteva,” the publicly-traded, differentiated crop protection company resulting from the current company’s planned separation in the fourth quarter of 2026. This follows an earlier announcement naming Luke Kissam, former Albemarle Chairman, President and CEO, as the New Corteva CEO. Luke will join the current company on June 1.
New Corteva will be innovation-driven in both its product portfolio and its operating model, leveraging its technological leadership to deliver for farmers while also running an asset-light, efficient business. The company intends to make targeted investments to support growth and leverage its first-mover advantage in nature-inspired technologies to pursue opportunities promising attractive returns in markets that reward differentiation.
“The business that will become Corteva after separation, later this year, will lead a critical industry from a position of strength,” said Corteva Chair Greg Page, who will also chair New Corteva after separation. “I look forward to working with each of these leaders to drive the new, focused company to even greater heights.”
“New Corteva’s success will be anchored in innovation and sustainability, coupled with a laser focus on enterprise-wide operational excellence, and this team is the right team to help realize its bright future,” said Corteva CEO Chuck Magro. “It is an exciting time for the company, its leaders and their future teams.”
The New Corteva executive leadership team will also assume their roles at separation, which is on track for the fourth quarter of 2026. As follows:
- Jeff Rudolph will be the company’s chief financial officer.
- Brook Cunningham will be chief commercial officer.
- Ralph Ford will be chief integrated operations officer.
- Reza Rasoulpour will be chief technology officer.
- Jim Alcombright will be chief digital and information officer.
- The roles of chief legal officer and chief people officer are open, with internal and external searches underway to fill them.
Robert King, current executive vice president of the Corteva Crop Protection business unit, will, effective July 1, become a strategic advisor to the incoming New Corteva CEO, ensuring a smooth transition through separation for the entire leadership team. Robert will remain on the current Corteva ELT until separation, and after separation, serve on the New Corteva ELT until the end of 2026, after which time he has elected to leave the company to pursue other leadership opportunities.
“I want to thank Robert for his invaluable leadership over the past few years, during which time we solidified our global leadership position in Biologicals, launched more than a thousand products to help farmers protect their yields and delivered financial performance that consistently outperformed the industry,” said Magro. “We wish him the very best in his next chapter.”
Members of New Corteva executive leadership will be hosting an investor day on September 15 at the New York Stock Exchange; details on attendance and participation will be shared in the coming weeks.