Published: April 14, 2009

Garrett Lofto, President, J.R. Simplot AgriBusiness Group (Photo: Business Wire)

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(BUSINESS WIRE) Garrett Lofto has been named president of the J.R. Simplot Company AgriBusiness Group.

Lofto succeeds Bill Whitacre, who in February of this year was named chief executive officer-elect of the J.R. Simplot Company.

Lofto joined Simplot in 1992 as a crop advisor for the Morris, Manitoba area. He has held numerous leadership positions in the AgriBusiness Group, including his most recent role as vice president of Wholesale Sales.

Lofto is a member of the Manitoba Institute of Agrologists, and previously served on the board of directors and executive policy committee for the Canadian Fertilizer Institute.

"The Simplot board expressed high confidence in Garrett's ability to lead our AgriBusiness organization," said Whitacre. "He is an experienced and effective leader."

As vice president of Simplot's Wholesale Sales division, Lofto has been instrumental in leading the organization to unprecedented growth.

"Agriculture is the most important industry there is, as we focus on nourishing a growing global population," said Lofto. "It is a role we take very serious, evidenced by our significant investment in resources centered on meeting this important need. I am grateful for this opportunity; to work alongside so many talented and committed individuals that make up the Simplot organization, as we deliver on our mission statement of responsibly Bringing Earth's Resources to Life."

Lofto holds a bachelor of science degree in agriculture from the University of Manitoba, Canada and a master's of business administration from the University of Phoenix.

About Simplot

The J.R. Simplot Company, a privately held agribusiness firm headquartered in Boise, Idaho, responsibly "Brings Earth's Resources to Life" with an integrated portfolio that includes phosphate mining, fertilizer manufacturing, farming, ranching and cattle production, food processing, food brands and other enterprises related to agriculture. Simplot's major operations are in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand and China, with products marketed in over 40 countries world wide.

For more information: http://www.simplot.com.

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