Leadership
Songyan Li, PhD, Chairman of the Board, Co-Founder
As one of the original founders of the Company, Dr. Li is a renowned animal nutrition scientist in China. He was named Chairman of the Board in July 2004. Prior to that, he worked as the Technical Manager in Guangxi Peter Hand Pre-mix Feed Company, a Chinese subsidiary of global animal nutrition conglomerate Provimi S.A. Mr. Li obtained his PhD in animal nutrition from Nanjing Agricultural University in September 2004. He also has an EMBA degree from China Europe International Business School, one of the best business schools in China. Dr. Li speaks fluent English.
Junhong Xiong, CEO & Vice Chairman of the Board, Co-Founder
Since founding the Company in May l995, Mr. Xiong has served as Chief Executive Officer. Prior to that, he worked for Guangzhou Huashi Animal Nutritionals Company as head of marketing. He rapidly rose from an entry level sales position to a top sales manager until reaching his final position as the head of marketing. Mr. Xiong Junhong earned his B.S. in Animal Husbandry & Veterinary studies from Jiangxi Agricultural University in July 1992 and has an EMBA degree from Tsinghua University in Beijing, one of China's top business schools.
Gerry Daignault, Chief Operating Officer, Head of Hog Production and Strategic Development
Mr. Gerry Daignault brings to AgFeed more than 26 years of senior US executive experience including 18 years at the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) level for several leading US and global agricultural companies in animal feed and hog production. In the 1980s, he became the Director of Finance at Purina Mills, the largest US feed company. In the late 1990’s, he was the CFO for PMAG Products, a subsidiary of Tate & Lyle, N.A., a global leader in animal feeds and premix. His responsibilities included the formulation and execution of an aggressive M&A strategy that led to the consolidation of various operating subsidiaries and services positioning the company for future growth. Additionally, Mr. Daignault was the CFO of Newsham Hybrids, currently the 3rd largest swine genetics company in the US. Before co-founding Spectrum Agribusiness in 2006, he was CFO/Director of Finance for PIC North America, the largest swine genetics company in the US and a leading swine genetics company in the world. While at PIC, Mr. Daignault was responsible for operational and organizational restructuring that allowed PIC to profitably reposition itself to meet the needs of the rapidly consolidating North American pork industry. Under Mr. Daignault’s guidance, operating profit grew by more than 100% during that time until the company was sold to Genus PLC, a London Stock Exchange listed company in 2005. He stayed on during the successful integration of the two businesses. He has a Bachelor’s degree in finance and accounting from the University of Missouri in 1979.
Selina Jin, Chief Financial Officer
Selina Jin was named CFO of the company in 2009. She brings to AgFeed 12 years of extensive experience in financial management, researching, budgeting, reporting, investment analysis, internal controls, and design of corporate performance evaluation. She is familiar with the latest PRC GAAP, US GAAP and IFRS and is English speaking. Ms. Jin possesses a Bachelor's degree in Accounting from the School of International Business at Hunan University and a Masters of Business Administration in Finance and Accounting from Shanghai University of Financial and Economics. Ms. Jin is a member of the China Association of Chief Financial Officers, the Institute of Management Accountants, and the International Financial Management Association. Prior to joining AgFeed, Ms. Jin served as the Chief Financial Officer of Changsha Zhan Hong Energy Chemical Co., Ltd., where she directed an array of financial functions, including effective variance analyses on financial performance, financial budgeting and financial ratio monitoring. From 2003 to 2004, Ms. Jin was the Assistant Chief Executive Officer of Citia International Ltd. N. Z., where she established that company's financial and operational infrastructure and designed and implemented internal controls for its financial and operating systems.
Feng Zhou, Vice-Chairman Animal Nutriton, Co-Founder
Since founding the Company in 1995, Mr. Zhou has been serving as Corporate Secretary and VP-Financial Controller at the Company. Prior to founding the Company, he worked at Guangzhou Huashi Industries for two years as a sales representative. He received his bachelor degree in Animal Nutrition in 1992 from Jiangxi Agricultural University and upon graduation worked at Shanghai Daying Industry as a technician from July 1992 through October 1993. He obtained his EMBA degree from Tsinghua University in 2004, one of China's top business schools.
Zhengru Xiong, Vice-Chairman Hog Production, Co-Founder
Since founding the company in May 1995, Mr. Xiong has served as VP of Technical Operations for the Company. He is the current Chairman of Jiangxi Province Hog Farm Association. He graduated from Jiangxi Agricultural University in 1992 with a Bachelor's Degree in Animal Farming and from 1992 through 1994 he worked at Jiangxi Agricultural and Technology Company as a section chief. Mr Xiong is credited for broadening the Company's markets outside of Jiangxi especially throughout the eastern farming regions of China. Mr. Xiong has an EMBA degree from Tsinghua University, one of China's top business schools. He is not related to the Company's CEO and Vice Chairman.
Jinfeng Yuan Ph.D., Vice President of Technology
Dr. Yuan earned a Ph.D. degree in animal genetics from Huazhong Agricultural University and the University of Cambridge. His research area is focused on animal genetics and breeding, veterinary, molecular biology, statistics and bioinformation science. He has studied at PIC (the international leader in providing genetically superior pig breeding stock) research lab at the University of Cambridge, Tianzhong Breeder Pig Company (one of China's top breeder hog companies) and World Wildlife Fund (WWF) China. He was involved in a number of key research projects including BBSRC (UK), China's "863" Program -- China's Top National High-tech R&D Program and Hubei International Collaboration Project. He is the first scientist in China to have discovered the 12 biomarkers for selecting genetic difference in resistance / susceptibility to animal disease and improving reproductive traits in swine. His research achievements have been published in the following peer journals: Journal of Animal Genetics and Breeding, Animal, Chinese Journal of Agricultural Biotechnology, Journal of Animal, Chinese Journal of Animal Biotechnology Bulletin, Agricultural Sciences in China and Acta Biologica Hungarica.