Fine Americas names two new agriculture sales staff members

Fine Americas, a supplier of plant growth regulators for agriculture and horticulture, has added to its U.S. agricultural sales organization with two leadership appointments: Chase Edwards joins the company as Pacific Northwest sales manager, and Rob Stutesman has been promoted to U.S. ag sales manager.

Edwards brings hands-on agronomic and tree fruit production experience to Fine’s Northwest team. Most recently, he served as an agronomist with Allan Brothers, where he helped guide agronomic strategy and integrated pest management programs for tree fruit operations, developed data-driven crop recommendations, managed key production inputs and supported field teams and farm operations.

Edwards earned a bachelor's degree in integrated plant sciences from Washington State University, with an emphasis in fruit and vegetable management and a minor in agricultural economics, graduating summa cum laude. He grew up working on his family’s cherry farm, giving him a lifelong connection to Northwest agriculture and a firsthand understanding of the challenges growers face.

Stutesman, who previously served as Fine’s Pacific Northwest sales manager, moved into the newly created role of U.S. ag sales manager. He brings more than 33 years of experience in the agricultural retail industry, with a career spanning sales, marketing, business development and product launches.

“We’re very excited to have Chase and Rob taking on these roles as Fine Americas continues to grow and strengthen our relationships with customers,” said Damian Eldred, president of Fine Americas. “Chase brings an exceptional combination of agronomic knowledge, production experience and a firsthand understanding of Pacific Northwest tree fruit. He knows the challenges growers face because he has worked directly in the same production environments they manage every day.

“Rob has played an important role in building Fine’s presence in the Pacific Northwest over the past several years, and this promotion gives us the opportunity to put his experience and leadership to work nationally,” Eldred added. “His depth of agricultural sales and marketing experience, product development expertise and ability to build strong teams will be tremendous assets as we continue to expand our business and help growers across the U.S. achieve their goals and objectives.”