Maizex Seeds has announced leadership appointments aimed at supporting the growth of the Maizex Seeds business into the future. As part of a succession management plan, Blake Ashton has been appointed general manager of Maizex Seeds. Ashton joined Maizex Seeds in 2016 as controller and will now oversee day-to-day operations of the business.
“Blake has been integral to our success since joining the business in his role as Controller and has worked hard to understand all areas of the seed business and what is needed to ensure our growth into the future,” notes Dave Baute, founder, president and CEO of Maizex Seeds. “This included his efforts in the formation of the joint venture between Maizex and Sollio Agriculture.”
“This appointment is a signal to our customers, dealers, and joint venture partners that Maizex has a strong succession plan in place as we build Maizex Seeds to meet the needs of farmers across the country as a Canada-focused and Canadian-farmer-owned seed business.”
Ashton is a graduate of the University of Ottawa and is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA). He is also active in his family farm operation located near Clachan, Ontario. Prior to joining Maizex, he worked in public accounting with exposure to financial and strategic management in a range of industries.
“I am extremely excited about this opportunity,” notes Ashton. “I want to thank Dave and Brenda Baute for their efforts in building the Maizex business over the last 36 years and look forward to working with Dave and our management team as we meet the evolving needs of our customers into the future.”
Baute also announced the appointment of Stephen Denys as director of market and product development for Maizex Seeds. “Steve has been integral to our success as a seed business and in the launch of our joint venture partnership,” he says. “This role more fully encapsulates his efforts in leading our sales, marketing, and product development and research activities.”
Denys, like Baute, is a past president of the Canadian Seed Trade Association with deep roots in production agriculture.
Baute notes that the Maizex Management Committee — himself, Ashton, Denys, National Sales Manager Shane Jantzi, and Operations Manager Mike Vanderlip — are working together in establishing a future-focused growth strategy for Maizex Seeds as the company has grown to become a leading Canadian seed company.
