Industry veteran Patrick Gibbons named global marketing manager at Or-Cal Inc.
Industry veteran Patrick Gibbons named global marketing manager at Or-Cal Inc.
Industry veteran Patrick Gibbons has joined Or-Cal Inc. as global marketing manager of their diverse line of agricultural products, which includes calcium carbonate sunscreens, slug and snail baits, fungicides and apple blossom thinning agents.
Mr. Gibbons, a Yakima Valley native whose family had been pioneers in the local hop industry, started his agricultural career in the packaging side of the industry in Kennewick, WA, and Yakima, WA. Afterward, he was a tree fruit and wine grape grower for 10 years in Washington state's Yakima valley. From 2005-10, Mr. Gibbons managed the international technical sales for Purfresh, a clean technology company. In 2009, he founded Ag Products International, marketing specialty products to South America and Australasia.
Mr. Gibbons' focus is identifying growers' needs, especially in niche markets such as Pome and Vinifera. He will also assist Steve Glennon, Or-Cal's National sales manager, in the development and marketing of new chemistries that are introduced to the market, including a new dormant fungicide scheduled for launch later in 2012.
"I was a grower for over ten years," said Mr. Gibbons. "I understand first hand the importance of the right solutions for the right challenges. I'm excited that my position at Or-Cal will allow me to be directly involved in the development of cost-effective and innovative solutions to problems growers have nationwide and internationally."
"Patrick is an exciting addition to the Or-Cal team," said George Baker, owner of Or-Cal. "His years of experience as a grower and as a marketer of international agricultural products make him an asset to the growers we serve. He understands farming from multiple angles and is great at finding the right solution."
Steve Horn, vice president of Or-Cal and Mr. Baker's business partner, agreed, "Patrick has been instrumental in launching several competitive products worldwide, including Eclipse and Purshade. We are poised to continue moving ahead to the front of the pack very quickly."