Leeper ends 13-year consulting arrangement with RiceCo


RiceCo President and CEO James Hines said March 28 that Dr. John Leeper has chosen to not renew his consulting contract with the company.

In his 13-year association with RiceCo, Leeper made numerous contributions to the company’s product line. They include leading efforts to improve the company’s water- and solvent-based formulations and conceptualizing and developing many of RiceCo’s newer products, including RiceBeaux in the United States and several product concepts being developed internationally.

“Dr. Leeper was an observer and innovative problem solver who made numerous discoveries, several of which resulted in patents currently held by RiceCo,” said Hines, who wished Leeper well in his new pursuits.

Leeper was also recognized outside RiceCo for his contributions to rice, specifically, and agriculture, in general. He was a frequent presenter at international conferences and authored articles on a wide variety of topics related to rice. In the past year he was honored by the International Commodity Institute with its Annual Market Achievement Award. Also, The Crop and Weed Science Society of India presented him with its Annual Achievement Award for “Outstanding Contributions towards Developing Sustainable Rice Agriculture in the National and International Arenas.”