VONNIE ESTES, MS
Managing Director – Bio-Agriculture

Ms. Estes is an executive consultant with domestic and international experience in business development, acquisitions, project management, marketing, sales, and new product launches in the bio-agriculture and seed industries. She has a proven ability to identify market opportunities and manage diverse project teams, including complex international transactions. Ms. Estes' recent engagements and work experience include:

Agriculture B2B Company

 Developed Business Plan for new Internet Company serving the agriculture industry

Identified and presented plan to First-Round investors

International Business Development

 Wrote offering memorandum, developed contact list and managed process of sale of company

 Evaluated market potential and market entry strategy for new products

Developed business, geographic and technical strategy for new venture focusing on acquisitions of international seed companies. Created and directed integration plan for acquired companies.

Closed two acquisitions for companies valued at $30 million each

Designed strategy and secured technology rights for integrated biotechnology program for $100 million

Created and managed Emergent’s public and industry relations

P & L responsibly for two divisions with total of $20 million in revenue

Designed and negotiated international executive compensation and benefits structure

Developed new business strategy for new markets and products. Managed project teams.

 Led project team to identify and gain access to biotech traits, managed R&D programs, determined trait value and market need. Included negotiation with partners, securing internal funding, managing budget and research plan

Developed strategy for identifying and meeting market needs in Less Developed Countries with biotech and non-biotech offerings

Defined and scoped area of Sustainable Agriculture to forecast demands and identify opportunities

Member of Strategy 2020 team to define the future long term industry context and develop integrated strategy to address issues and opportunities

 Project manager for consumer and professional garden products company.

Led technology and intellectual property negotiations in acquisition of Grace-Sierra by The Scotts Company

Managed field development, product development and product launch of three bio-pesticide products

Negotiated and managed licensing agreements with six manufactures supporting a $300 million pesticide business

 Product manager of new products for consumer and professional garden products company.

Developed new product development process

Managed product development team from idea to launch of two biopesticides

Developed and managed liaison with field development and university researchers

Managed product line from bench to market introduction for disease detection kits. Included field-testing,

Led development of marketing plan, distribution strategy and hiring and managing sales force.

PREVIOUS AFFILIATIONS
HICKS, MUSE, TATE & FURST- EMERGENT GENETICS, Vice President
MONSANTO, Director of Business and Product Development
GRACE-SIERRA / THE SCOTTS COMPANY, Manager, New Product Development
RINGER CORPORATION, Manager, New Product Development
DNA PLANT TECHNOLOGIES, Marketing Manager

EDUCATION
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, DAVIS, Masters of Science, Plant Pathology
NEW MEXICO STATE UNIVERSITY, Bachelors of Science, Horticulture

 
 For more information please contact:

Seth R. Freeman, Managing Director at:
Tel: +925-376-8700
Fax: +925-376-8770
U.S.Toll Free: +800-933-1850
srfreeman@emcapital.com

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