West Des Moines, Iowa, USA
May 24, 2010

The Context Network continues to fortify its team of senior executive leaders with the addition of Senior Associate, Dr. James Mann. Most recently, Mann served as Vice President of strategy, business development and product development for ArborGen, LLC., a global leader in forestry, tree improvement and the commercial production of trees.

Context Network Founding Partner Tray Thomas said, “Dr. Mann is an accomplished strategic planning and business development manager. He has successfully led and directed efforts including developing, negotiating and executing new ventures, subsidiaries, licenses, contracts and other major business deals in both small and large companies in the U.S. and abroad. His experience, business acumen and deep agri-industry knowledge will further augment our abilities to provide consulting expertise with leadership, vision and strategy to our clients as they face the many challenges and embrace the opportunities in their markets.”

Dr. Mann served in his leadership role at ArborGen from 2001-2009. Prior to that, he served as Business Development Director for Monsanto, assisting in global strategy, licensing, and business development for their cotton business. He stated, “I am very pleased to join The Context Network. The organization brings a unique combination of high-level consulting expertise and specific industry knowledge to each client and each endeavor. I look forward to focusing my efforts on advancing our clients’ goals.”

He holds an MBA from University of Missouri, Ph.D. and M.S. degrees from Clemson University and a B.S. from Shorter College. Dr. Mann resides in South Carolina together with his wife, Merrell, a fourteen year-old daughter and twin eight-year old sons.

The Context Network provides business management and strategy consulting services to the world’s leading agriculture, biotechnology and food companies and government agencies and institutions. Major areas of expertise include strategy, merger and acquisition support, valuation of new technologies, formation of alliances, and market research. The West Des Moines-based firm is composed of a core of professional consultants that is complemented by a global network of hundreds of industry and subject-area experts.

Website: http://www.contextnet.com

Published: May 24, 2010