AT CLOSING PEOPLE.

Three senior executives have left Aventis CropScience following the turmoil caused by StarLink, the company's controversial genealtered corn. The three employees are Maurice Delage, president and CEO; Ed Makowski, vice president of market development; and Karen Weiner, general counsel. Delage will be replaced with Esmail Zirakparvar, an American currently serving as a member of the crop protection executive committee at Aventis' global headquarters in France.

Dr. Jerry Hensley joins Agraquest, Davis, Calif., as vice president of product development. Hensley spent his entire 27-year career in field development and field development management positions with Ciba-Geigy (now Syngenta). Most recently, he was western regional research manager.

Phibro Animal Health, Fairfield, N.J., announces the addition of several poultry specialists and technical personnel. Ken Bafundo is named technical director for North America. He previously spent 10 years with Elanco and eight years with Pfizer in both product development and technical services management. Hector Cervantes is named senior technical service veterinarian. He previously was with Cargill, Peterson Farms and spent six years with Pfizer. John Cuomo, R. Ken Sterling, Randy Lee, Lynn Tenold, Curtis Nolen, Charles Julian and Rick Zimmerman are hired as poultry industry specialists. Cuomo, Sterling, Lee, Tenold, Nolen and Julian were all previously with SmithKline Beecham and Pfizer. Zimmerman spent 10 years with Hoffman La Roche and six years with Pfizer.

Cerexagri, Inc., Philadelphia, hires Peter T. Bromley as president and CEO. He is specifically charged with strengthening the company's product portfolio in the aquatic, turf and ornamental, and specialty pre-harvest and Decco post-harvest crop markets. Bromley previously worked for ATO-FINA (formerly Penwalt Corp. and Elf Atochem North America) in various positions in the pharmaceutical and ag chem businesses. Cerexagri manufactures a diverse line of pre-and post-harvest chemicals and is a wholly owned, independent subsidiary of ATOFINA Chemicals.

Makhteshim-Agan of North America Inc., New York, has hired Ben Kirk in sales and market development. He is based in Terre Haute, Ind. Kirk has worked in sales and management for retail, distribution and manufacturing companies, including Griffin LLC, United Agri Products, PC Ltd., Setre Corp., Helena Chemical Co. and Stauffer Chemical Co.

Ken Weaver has been promoted to director of sales and marketing for North America at Firestone Agricultural Tire Co., Des Moines, Iowa. Weaver succeeds Ralph Burchfield, who was recently appointed president of Firestone, a division of Bridgestone /Firestone, Inc. Weaver has been with Bridgestone/Firestone since 1979, most recently as Firestone Ag's national replacement sales manager.

Intervet, Millsboro, Del., hires Jeff Baxter as marketing manager for cattle biologicals, focused on the beef industry. Previously, Baxter was brand manager for cattle respiratory biologicals with Pfizer Animal Health. Prior to that, Baxter held marketing positions with Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica and two Kansas City-based advertising agencies.