Who We Are

SIPA Program Officers

Chairperson

Travis Kriegshauser, SYNGENTA, Global Head of Seeds Strategic Planning & Transformation

Vice Chairperson

OPEN

SIPA Program Board of Directors

Andy LaVigne

American Seed Trade Association

Barbara Campbell

BASF

Mark Overduin

Bejo Seeds, Inc.

Mark Kimm

Corteva AgriScience

Rodolfo Leyva

Enza Zaden USA, Inc.

John Beuttenmuller

Florida Foundation Seed Producers

Vicent Asiago

HM.Clause

Tom Wehmeier

Bayer CropScience

Rick Falconer

Rijk Zwaan USA Inc.

Corinne Marshall

Sakata Seeds USA

Travis Kriegshauser

Syngenta

Andrew DeSante

Maraldi Seeds USA

John Snelling

Verisem Seeds North America Inc.

Christ Reat, SIPA Executive Director

Executive Director – Chris Reat

Chris Reat assumed responsibilities as Executive Director effective 11/15/2025 with the goal to drive expanded business opportunities in the U.S. seed market. A 30-year veteran of the agriculture industry, Chris brings deep expertise in crop inputs, seed, biotechnology, intellectual property protection, and strategic partnerships.

Chris holds a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture Development from Texas A&M University–College Station. His career spans sales leadership, account management, marketing, seed and trait stewardship, and team development. He and his wife, Becky, are proud parents of two sons: Cole, a 2020 graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy and current fighter pilot instructor and Cade, a 2022 Texas A&M graduate now working in sales.

“I’m thrilled to bring my experience to SIPA’s members and board,” said Chris Reat. “Together, we’ll develop innovative, principled solutions to meet the evolving needs of our industry. SIPA leads the way in promoting and protecting the value of seed innovation — and I’m honored to contribute.”

Become a SIPA Member

The Seed Innovation and Protection Alliance is established to promote the understanding and value of seed innovations as well as to facilitate and promote the respect of intellectual property rights for the benefit of members, growers, industry associates, consumers and the agricultural community. To learn more, visit our SIPA Member Benefits & Terms on our website.

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