CropLife America Appoints Paul Rea as Chair of the Board of Directors

ARLINGTON, VA – CropLife America (CLA) is pleased to announce that Paul Rea, senior vice president of Agriculture Solutions North America at BASF, has been appointed as chair of the CLA board of directors.

"It's an honor to serve as the chair of the CLA board of directors for a second time," said Rea. "This is a pivotal moment for both the pesticide industry and American agriculture. I remain deeply committed to representing the voices of CLA member companies as we strive to provide American farmers with innovative solutions needed to grow abundant, healthy, and affordable food for Americans and the rest of the world." 

Rea brings a wealth of experience, deep industry insight, and a lifelong commitment to agriculture. Rea served as board chair from 2020 to 2022 and has remained active in board leadership since. He was unanimously chosen by his peers for his forward-thinking leadership and widespread recognition as a mentor, champion, and visionary for agriculture.

“Paul will be an exceptional chair of our board of directors at a time when many people are raising questions about American farming, and why farmers use pesticides to control weeds, insects, and disease on crops,” said Alexandra Dunn, CLA president and CEO. “Paul’s valuable insights from his time here in the U.S. and his experiences around the world will be a tremendous asset as we continue advocating for agriculture and helping ensure access to affordable, nutritious food on every table.”

Born and raised on a farm in New Zealand, Rea oversees research and development, production, marketing, sales, and all other operations for BASF’s pesticide and seed business in the U.S. and Canada, as well as the turf and ornamental and pest management lines of business in North America.