Feb 23, 2023

Industry vet named new Jord BioScience CEO

Jord BioScience has named Keri Carstens as its new chief executive officer.

An industry veteran, Carstens brings 15 years of agriculture industry experience to the position. Prior to Jord, Carstens led global regulatory strategy for Corteva Agriscience, where she also served in key roles in regulatory science, program management and on the global leadership team to build and launch Corteva’s seed applied technologiesand biologicals businesses.

Carstens is a recognized industry leader, having served as chair of the American Seed Trade Association’s Seed Treatment & Environment Committee, as well as service for the Honey Bee Health Coalition and Entomological Society of America.

Carstens possesses a deep passion for delivering safe, sustainable solutions for farmers globally, according to a news release. She grew up on a family farm and continues to farm with her family today. The promotion became effective Feb. 16.

“Since joining the company as COO in June 2022, Keri has overseen the development of Jord BioScience’s unique commercial strategy, which echoes the innovative science and technology and continues to fuel the business,” Peter Innes, a Jord BioScience board member, said in the release. “Keri has the skill set and experience to execute the strategy and to steer Jord through the next phase of growth and beyond. All of Jord’s stakeholders are thrilled that Keri has accepted the challenge.”

Kip Pendleton, who has served as Jord BioScience CEO since 2019, will continue as Executive Chairman and Board member, and will assist Carstens in her transition to Chief Executive Officer.

“I am proud to lead a science-based company bringing a fundamentally different playbook to the market, a new playbook that harnesses the biology of the microbiome to deliver consistent, better performing biological products for farmers,” Carstens said in the release. “Jord’s unique technology and collaborative approach to commercialize new biological products improves outcomes and sustainability for farmers, consumers and ag technology providers.”

“I look forward to expanding Jord BioScience’s impact in the market with Dr. Linda Kinkel, chief science officer and founder of Jord, and our talented team,” Carstens said in the release.

Jord BioScience is a microbial company that employs microbial technologies to help other agricultural companies deliver more effective and consistent products in the marketplace. Formed in 2019 out of the University of Minnesota, BioControl LLC DBA, Jord BioScience is a startup with a discovery platform of more than 6,000 microbial isolates. Its technology is designed to enhance commercial microbial products within indigenous microbial communities to improve performance and consistency for farmers.