Industry Veteran to Join BRANDT to Lead Flagship Retail Business

Industry Veteran to Join BRANDT to Lead Flagship Retail Business

BRANDT Welcomes Carl Kessler, Formerly of Syngenta Crop Protection, as VP, BRANDT Agronomic Services

Tampa, Florida & Springfield, IL (April 28, 2026)- Industry veteran Carl Kessler will be joining BRANDT as VP, BRANDT Agronomic Services as of July 1. Kessler will succeed John Allen and will report to the BRANDT Executive Team. In this role, Kessler will be responsible for strategy, management and growth of BRANDT's flagship direct-to-grower retail business in Central Illinois.

Kessler joins BRANDT after 23 years at Syngenta Crop Protection, where he managed a key territory and oversaw 10 direct reports in addition to influencing a number of other teams.

"We are all ecstatic to welcome Carl to Team BRANDT," said Rick Brandt, President & CEO of BRANDT. "My dad and aunt started BRANDT as a retail business 73 years ago and that's still the core of what we do in Central Illinois. We're looking for Carl to come in and build on that heritage in ways that always keeps us innovating and out front with our farmer customers."

Kessler held increasing levels of responsibility at Syngenta. Most recently, he led a team responsible for nearly $200mm in annual sales. He was focused on key account management within the ag retail sector, as well as mentoring and training his sales team. He developed his team through coaching around account planning, negotiations skills, strategic account management and agronomic training.

"I have really enjoyed my time at Syngenta and am proud of the team that I've been part of. I'm confident they will continue to build that business," said Kessler. "But I look forward to my future at BRANDT. I've known BRANDT-and admired their culture-for more than 25 years as a supplier. Their unmatched reputation is built by over 70 years of trust, integrity and service with local farmers. I'm excited to learn from John Allen and the rest of the team to carry on the tradition as the farmers' trusted advisor."

Returning to a retail business is a homecoming for Kessler. He started his career at Frontier FS Cooperative where he was a crop specialist and plant manager for 2.5 years.

"Carl has big shoes to fill to take the reins from John Allen," said Brandt. "John has been with us for nearly 50 years-as long as I can remember-and he took our agronomic services business to the next level. John has a wealth of institutional knowledge and I'm glad he is going to stay on as Carl transitions into his role. I am eager to see this next chapter of our ag retail business unfold."

Kessler holds a BS double major in Agriculture Industry Management and Agribusiness Management from Illinois State University. He also holds an Associates Degree in Applied Science from Lincoln Land Community College.