(Clockwise from top left) Executive Chairman Dave Armstrong, Territory Manager David Nuckolls, Territory Manager Eric Nyberg, President and CEO Ed Flores, Territory Manager Erika Schaefer, and Territory Manager Debbie Remblence. | Sakata Seed America, and Star Roses and Plants
Sakata Seed America, Inc. has announced a strategic executive leadership transition, effective April 1, 2025.
After more than 15 years of dedicated service as President and Chief Executive Officer of Sakata Seed America, Inc, Dave Armstrong will step into the role of Executive Chairman, where he will continue to provide strategic oversight and guidance for the business. Eduardo (Ed) Flores will assume the position of President and Chief Executive Officer, taking over operational responsibility and leading Sakata Seed America into its next phase of growth.
Ed joined Sakata Seed America in 2021 as Chief Operating Officer and has played a significant role in adapting the company’s supply chain capabilities to a growing crop portfolio, and through the recent relocation of Sakata’s regional headquarters to Woodland, CA. Ed brings more than 20 years of experience in leading regional businesses, commercial activities, supply chain management, and strategy development for global breeding companies. He holds an MBA from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a B.S. in Engineering from the Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education.
John Nelson, currently serving as Executive Vice President, will take on the role of Executive Advisor and support the business during this transition. John will continue to lend his expertise and leadership, developed during a more than 30-year career with Sakata, until his planned retirement in January 2026. Additionally, Hiroyuki (Hiro) Hashimoto will step into the role of Vice President, further strengthening the company’s executive team.
Reflecting on his tenure as President-CEO, Dave Armstrong says, “It has been an incredible honor to lead Sakata Seed America for the past 15 and a half years. I am immensely proud of our success, our teams, our culture, and the impact we’ve made in the seed industry. As I step into the role of Executive Chairman, I look forward to supporting the company’s continued success under Ed’s leadership.”
Incoming President-CEO Ed Flores says, “It’s an honor to be chosen to serve Sakata Seed America, a company I have long admired and respected given its strong legacy of innovation, collaboration, and commitment to our customers and partners. I am grateful for the opportunity to lead this exceptional organization and continue driving our mission forward.”
This leadership transition reaffirms Sakata Seed America’s half-century commitment to quality, service, and reliability, and ensuring long-term growth by delivering high-quality seed and genetic solutions to growers and consumers across North and Central America and throughout Sakata’s global network.
Star Roses and Plants Adds Four Members to its Sales Team
Star Roses and Plants, a genetics company involved directly in breeding roses, edibles, perennials, and woody plants, has announced four recent hires to its sales team.
David Nuckolls – Territory Manager of Alabama and North Florida
David joins the team with a strong background in sales and greenhouse operations. He most recently worked as a Sales Representative at McHutchison. Prior to that, he was the Production Manager at Tippah County Growers, Owner of Bloom Haven Farms, and Head Grower at Southern Growers. David can be reached by email at [email protected].
Eric Nyberg – Territory Manager of Georgia and South Carolina
Eric brings an abundance of experience and knowledge to the team. Eric previously worked at Star Roses and Plants in the early 2000s. Since then, he has held roles at Syngenta as a Sales Representative and at Vaughan’s Horticulture, where he progressed from Sales Representative to Regional Sales Manager. Eric can be reached by email at [email protected].
Debbie Remblence – Territory Manager of Nevada, Utah, Colorado and Northern California
Debbie brings a wealth of experience to Star Roses and Plants from her roles in the horticulture industry. Her previous positions include Vice President of Sales for North America at David Austin Roses, Sales and Customer Service Director at Greenhouse Megastore, Sales Manager at North Shore Living, and most recently, National Account Manager at Rocket Farms. Debbie can be reached by email at [email protected].
Erika Schaefer – Customer Service Representative
Erika joins Star Roses and Plants with a background in service and a passion for plants. Previously, she served as the Volunteer Service Manager at Habitat for Humanity. Her dedication to customer care will contribute greatly to the sales team’s success. Erika can be reached by email at [email protected].
“I am thrilled with the caliber and diversity of talent these individuals bring to Star Roses and Plants, as I know it will further strengthen our ability to support our customers,” says Tom O’Connell, Director of Sales, Marketing, and Licensing at Star Roses and Plants.
