CropLife America is parting ways with President and CEO Chris Novak, who has headed the pesticide industry organization for five years.
Members were informed Thursday by email of the board of directors’ decision that Novak's last day would be Oct. 6 and that he would be replaced by an interim CEO, longtime crop protection executive Susanne Wasson, while the board looks for a new leader.
In a statement, CLA said it would "begin a search to fill the position in October."
"Andy Lee, Valent North America president and CEO and current CLA Board chairman, and the entire CLA Board of Directors thank Chris for his service to the organization over the past five years," the statement said.
"Chris honed the organization’s strategic focus around improving the pesticide industry’s reputation, supported research and communication of the necessity of pesticides and the role they play in sustainable agriculture, while supporting a science- and risk-based regulatory system. The Board and association wish him the very best with his future endeavors."
Novak has held a variety of jobs in the ag industry. Before coming to CLA, he was CEO of the National Corn Growers Association for four years. From 2008 to 2014, he was CEO of the National Pork Board. He also ran the Indiana Soybean Alliance from 2004 to 2008.
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His experience also includes stints at the National Pork Producers Council, the American Soybean Association and Syngenta. He started his career as a legislative assistant to Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, from 1987 to 1990.
He has a law degree from the University of Iowa College of Law and an M.B.A. from Purdue’s Daniels School of Business. Novak graduated with a B.S. from Iowa State in 1987.
At CropLife, Novak’s total compensation in 2021 was about $780,000, including a bonus of $125,000. Membership dues of about $15 million made up the bulk of the organization’s total revenue of $16.6 million. Expenses were about $15.3 million.
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