Get to Know Syngenta Flowers’ New Head of Production
July 26, 2021 
Keith Francis
Syngenta Flowers, LLC, recently announced the appointment of Keith Francis as Head of Production for North America.
Francis brings almost 30 years of vast experience in production, agronomical knowledge, and leadership skills to his new role as Head of Production. He joined Syngenta Flowers at the beginning of 2020 as the Technical Manager of North America. As Head of Production, Francis will be part of the core leadership team to work closely with the operations, sales, and marketing teams. In addition, he will be responsible for leading site production facilities in North America and technical production and quality teams.
Alicain Carlson will succeed in her new role of Technical Manager for North America. Carlson brings a tremendous wealth of knowledge and experience in research and marketing, along with an excellent track record of supporting data-driven new product introductions and customer solutions as Technical Trialing Manager. In her new role as Technical Manager, she will oversee both technical services and trialing teams to uphold Syngenta Flowers’ pillar of providing best-in-class technical support and understanding of our offerings to our customers.
Additionally, joining the product management team is Jennifer Emerson as a product manager. Emerson will be responsible for setting strategy and driving profitable growth for a subset of flower seed product lines in North America. She has held multiple roles in sales, marketing, and business development. She recently served as the Chief Operating Officer and Vice President of Operations at Progeny Advanced Genetics, Inc. a lettuce breeding company that Syngenta recently acquired.
“These individuals are responsible for bringing the transformative spirit to the team,” says Mark Schermer, Global Head of Flowers at Syngenta Flowers. “They all have earned their stripes in our industry at large. I am incredibly thrilled about the value they will bring to our customers and the organization while uploading our promise to continue elevating our members’ talents and skills to ensure long-term benefit to our customers and the Syngenta Flowers organization.”
Greenhouse Grower recently talked in more detail with Francis on his new role.
Greenhouse Grower (GG): How did your previous experience prepare you for this new role?
Keith Francis: The road that has led me to Syngenta and this role has taken me through many different facets of our industry. I have worked as a grower with a breeding company, sales and technical specialist with a broker company, and now I am back with a breeder. I was able to learn and be mentored by many fantastic teachers and leaders in our industry. All those experiences and lessons have brought me to where I am today at Syngenta. I am thankful and humbled by the opportunity and working with such a great team here at Syngenta Flowers North America.
GG: What are some of the biggest issues or concerns you’ve heard from growers, and how do you plan to help them deal with these issues?
Francis: Quality of product goes without saying. On time, repeatable delivery of expected product and having product when growers need it are two key customer expectations. Developing our team, ensuring we all know the expectations and that we have a proven process in place to deliver these expectations. Then, providing the resources and working environment that encourages and is built around critical analysis of what we are doing and how we can continue to improve and deliver on the four customer promises of Syngenta: Market-leading genetics, impactful marketing, best-in-class technical services, and obsession with quality.
GG: What are the biggest challenges this industry is currently facing? Conversely, what are some of the biggest opportunities on the horizon?
Francis: Challenges are a new generation of customers who have entered the market, and how to best meet their needs with our products. Opportunities include keeping the new generation interested in and invested in our industry and the products we deliver.
GG: Looking ahead, what role can you play in helping to move the industry forward?
Francis: Opportunities abound within Syngenta, and I hope to continue to help mentor and develop the next generation of talent, so that our industry continues to grow and find new ways to supply the color and beauty we are privileged to provide.
GG: If you weren’t in the horticulture industry, what would you be doing?
Francis: Hopefully I would be working as a game warden in Texas.
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