Sylvan announces Zensen retirement.

Sylvan Inc. recently announced that Dennis C. Zensen, its president and chief executive officer, retired in June. He will continue as a member of the company's board of directors and his services will be used to support and advise the company on various matters.

Zensen started his career in the mushroom industry almost 40 years ago. In 1968, he joined the venture management group of Ralston Purina Company, a former American manufacturer of cereals, packaged food, pet food and other agricultural products that merged with Nestle in 2001. During the 1970s, he initiated and developed Ralston's production and marketing of fresh mushrooms, and Ralston soon became a leader in the fresh mushroom industry in the United States.

He formed and became the chief executive officer and president of Quincy Corporation in 1979. Under his leadership, Quincy developed into one of the largest, most modern and most efficient mushroom farms in North America.

He led the formation of Sylvan in 1989 and its transformation from two regional mushroom farms into a multinational leader in the production of mushroom spawn and other microbiological products. During Zensen's tenure, Sylvan expanded its spawn production operations from the United States into Canada, Europe, Australia and South Africa. In the 1990s, he orchestrated the acquisition of three major European spawn producers (Somycel S.A. in 1991, Hauser Champignonkulturen AG in 1992 and International Mushroom Laboratories in 1998). At the same time, Sylvan undertook the construction of spawn production facilities in the United States and five other countries to serve a growing demand for Sylvan's spawn and related products.

In addition to its production of mushrooms and mushroom spawn, Sylvan has become a leader in mushroom genetic research and development with research facilities in the United States and France. Sylvan's Bioproducts division provides the company with additional avenues for growth by using its proprietary technology and capabilities to produce microorganisms on solid-substrates for a variety of applications in other industries.

At the time of its 2004 merger with SAC Holdings, Inc., a subsidiary of Snyder Associated Companies, Inc. of Kittanning, PA, Sylvan reported annual revenues of approximately $95 million.

Zensen's responsibilities will be assumed by Mark A. Snyder, chairman of Sylvan Inc. Snyder commented, "Dennis Zensen's vision established Sylvan as a global leader in the mushroom industry and his commitment to quality, service and customer trust and satisfaction will sustain the company for many years to come. We are fortunate to be able to continue to have the benefit of his experience and expertise to assist us as we continue to grow the company."

"Dennis played a key leadership role in developing the concept of a national promotion program for the mushroom industry and a national trade association," said Laura Phelps, AMI President. "He served as Chairman of the voluntary Mushroom Council group that negotiated the parameters of the Fresh Mushroom Research and Promotion Act of 1990 with all segments of the mushroom industry--from the small family farm growers in Pennsylvania to the large, multi-farm growers across the country." AMI offers congratulations and best wishes on Dennis Zensen's retirement and our appreciation for his many years of service to the mushroom farm community.

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