Please join us in welcoming Justin Birch to ArborGen as our new president and CEO!
Justin succeeds Andrew Baum, who will retire on June 19th but will continue in a consulting capacity to facilitate a seamless leadership transition.
Justin is an experienced executive with significant agricultural sector exposure and a strong operations, finance, and strategy background. Previously he was the Chief Financial Officer of Prima® Wawona in California, an industry leader in the fresh fruit category.
Before this role, he served in various operations, finance, sales, and strategy positions at Prima® Wawona and at Materra Farming, an investor-owned farming company.
Justin and his wife, Ellie, have three children – eight-year-old Ariana, five-year-old Remington, and three-year-old Duke. Justin grew up in Indiana and is a big fan of the Indianapolis Colts. In his “spare” time, he enjoys fly-fishing, shooting, and woodworking.
“My family and I are very excited to be coming to South Carolina and being part of the community here. ArborGen is a great company doing important and beneficial work for our society and the forestry industry, and I couldn’t be more pleased to join such a great organization. I look forward to meeting our customers and working with a great team of forestry professionals focused on delivering landowners the best seedling genetic options available.”
Justin Birch
Andrew Baum
I would like to thank all of you for trusting ArborGen with your reforestation needs over my time at ArborGen. We know that you have choices and are grateful we have earned your trust. As I retire I know I am leaving an organization that puts it customer’s needs first. We aim to be a reforestation partner, not just a seedling vendor, and that team at ArborGen offers an unparalleled level of genetics, seedling quality, reforestation advice and service.
I am completely confident that Justin will continue to maintain our customer focus and commitment to your success. His time in the agricultural and tree fruit industries, his integrity and business experience makes him my ideal successor. I have no doubt that he will allow ArborGen to continue to provide the products and service you have come to expect and deserve.
Thanks again for your confidence in ArborGen. You are the reason we exist!
— Andrew Baum