The Canadian-raised CEO of U.S. fertilizer firm Mosaic Co. plans to stay on the job but cut back on travel while undergoing chemotherapy for cancer.
Mosaic on Thursday disclosed Jim Prokopanko, the company’s CEO since 2007, was “recently” diagnosed and is undergoing treatment. The company did not elaborate on what type of cancer Prokopanko has.
“While this is a serious matter, the good news is that I’m feeling well and my doctors have informed me that I was diagnosed at an early stage,” Prokopanko said in the company’s release.
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“I’m planning to work a regular schedule and perform my duties as CEO, but will be limiting travel over the coming months while I attend to this condition.”
The Minnesota-based company’s chairman, Robert Lumpkins, said Prokopanko has developed a “talented management team who will continue to advance the strategic direction, laid out by Jim and our board, during this difficult period. With Jim’s assistance and leadership, we have ensured there is a process for management continuity throughout his treatment.”
Prokopanko has been involved in agribusiness since 1978, when he joined Cargill’s Canadian arm in Winnipeg, becoming a vice-president for the U.S. parent firm before moving to Mosaic in 2006 as its chief operating officer.
Mosaic, formed in 2004 from the fertilizer businesses of Cargill and IMC Global, processes fertilizers from potash mined mainly in Saskatchewan and phosphate rock mined mainly in Florida. It formally took over the phosphate business of fertilizer firm CF Industries on Monday. — AGCanada.com Network
