ADM has appointed Jeff Rowe to the newly created role of executive vice president and chief operating officer, bringing the former Syngenta Group CEO into a senior operating post spanning the company’s commercial businesses, global manufacturing and research and development efforts. The appointment is effective Aug. 17, 2026, and Rowe will report to Chair and CEO Juan Luciano.
The move gives fresh context to Syngenta’s July 1 announcement that it had named insider Hengde Qin as CEO effective Aug. 1, succeeding Rowe as he prepared to return to the U.S. after nearly a decade with the company.
In announcing the hire, ADM said the new COO role is intended to strengthen its leadership bench and help advance the company’s growth strategy and business priorities. Rowe’s role covers a wide swath of the business, combining oversight of commercial operations with manufacturing and R&D.
“Jeff has an outstanding reputation in the industry as a proven leader with a strong track record of advancing innovation and operational excellence,” Luciano said in the company’s announcement. “I am confident that he will be a wonderful addition to ADM’s global family of leaders.”
Rowe said he is “honored to join ADM and drive continued innovation at a global, agricultural leader,” adding that he has “long admired ADM for its rich history and strong values.” He added he looks forward to working with the company’s team to build on that foundation while advancing ADM’s growth strategy and supporting farmers, customers and shareholders.
Rowe joined Syngenta in 2016 and was named CEO in January 2024. Before that, he served as president of Syngenta Crop Protection and earlier led the company’s seeds business. Prior to Syngenta, he spent more than 20 years at DuPont Pioneer in roles spanning strategy, international operations, biotech and regulatory affairs. In its announcement, ADM also highlighted his roots as a fifth-generation Illinois farmer.
