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Dr. Robert Heisey
Tomato, fresh market
Sweet Pepper

Hollister R&D Station

Working on the family vegetable farm in my childhood and teen years, I learned the importance of new improved varieties to the success of a farm operation.. With this experience and an education in Plant Breeding at Cornell University, I began my career as a vegetable breeder.

My first assignment was as pepper and tomato breeder with Peto Italiana at the research station near Latina, Italy, in 1981.  My 20+ year career also includes more than 15 years as pepper and tomato breeder for Asgrow Seed Company (later Seminis). During my years at Asgrow my team developed the pepper varieties “Enterprise” and “Lexington”, as well as the “EF” series of LSL tomatoes for the West Mexico export market.

Joining United Genetics has united me with Dr. Ludergnani, with whom I had worked during my years with Peto. I am excited by the possibilities I have here to give tomato and pepper growers worldwide an alternative source of modern, high performing hybrid tomato and pepper varieties. My interest and expertise in disease-resistance breeding and my international experience in the vegetable industry will help in my efforts to make United Genetics a force in the fresh market tomato and sweet pepper business.

At United Genetics, we have the advantages of a small company that can move quickly in the marketplace. With the addition of a strong pathology program, we have the resources to compete with the large companies.