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Benson Hill, an agricultural technology company dedicated to unleashing the inherent genetic diversity within plants, has appointed Dan Cosgrove, a prominent figure in the agriculture industry, as its new Chief Administrative Officer and General Counsel, effective May 10, 2024. In his new role, Cosgrove will spearhead the day-to-day operations pertaining to business development, compliance, and legal affairs at Benson Hill. This transition coincides with the departure of Yevgeny Fundler, the former Chief Legal Officer, who is embarking on new ventures outside the company.
Prior to joining Benson Hill, Cosgrove served as the Chief Executive Officer of Growers Edge, a company specializing in providing comprehensive agricultural solutions such as crop planning, financial services, land valuation, and advanced software and data analytics tools. His extensive experience in the agricultural sector also includes pivotal positions at Corteva Agriscience/DuPont Pioneer, where he played a crucial role in facilitating the global expansion and licensing strategies of the seed company. Leveraging his profound understanding of the industry landscape, Cosgrove will assume responsibility for government relations and administrative functions at Benson Hill, driving forward strategic initiatives and facilitating the company’s transition towards an asset-light business model.
Deanie Elsner, the CEO of Benson Hill, expressed enthusiasm about Cosgrove joining the executive leadership team, highlighting his stellar track record and expertise in business development and intellectual property licensing. Elsner emphasized Cosgrove’s role in forging value-chain partnerships as the company endeavors to cater to large-scale soy markets through innovative seed technologies, aimed at enhancing the quality of feed, food, and fuel.
Acknowledging Fundler’s significant contributions during his tenure at Benson Hill, Elsner extended gratitude for his support during pivotal moments such as the company’s public listing, merger and acquisition activities, and various business negotiations, while also wishing him success in his future endeavors.