Nov 28, 2017

Tony Arnold named CEO of Willowood

Willowood USA, an agricultural supply business based in Broomfield, Colorado, on Nov. 28 announced a change in leadership.

Brian Heinze, who founded the Company and led the business since its inception in 2009, has decided to step down from his position as CEO. Tony Arnold has been selected as the Company’s new CEO, the board of directors announced in a release.

During the tenure of Heinze, Willowood experienced significant growth in its business. The company supplies generic, post-patent herbicide, fungicide and insecticide products for the agriculture, and turf and ornamental markets.

To help support Willowood’s rapid growth, Brian led the process in 2016 to secure a majority investment from Lariat Partners, a Denver-based private equity firm.

A leading global executive search firm assisted Willowood and Lariat Partners in recruiting Arnold. For the past several months, Heinze has worked very closely with Arnold on succession planning, and relocating the company’s headquarters.

“A key step in the Company’s evolution this year was relocating the headquarters operations to Broomfield, CO.  The move will enable Willowood to attract key talent and better serve its customers,” Heinze said.

Kevin Mitchell, Chairman of the Company’s Board of Directors and a Managing Partner for Lariat Partners, said Arnold was the right leader to position Willowood for continued growth.

“Tony’s experience in building organizations, commercializing technology, and driving results fit perfectly with the goal to further enhance the value Willowood brings to its customers,” he said.

Arnold brings more than 25 years of experience in the agriculture industry, holding a variety of leadership positions with American Cyanamid, BASF, and Dupont.  Most recently, he was the president and CEO of Solae, Nutrition Physiology and Upfront Management.

“The Willowood team has built a strong foundation for future growth, including a broad portfolio of high-quality products, a cost-effective supply chain, and a commitment to excellent customer service,” Arnold said. “As growers experience low commodity prices and a desire to reduce input costs, Willowood is uniquely positioned to work with distribution partners to provide them with affordable, yet high-quality alternative products.”