Alex Fotsch is one of 600 young innovators and trendsetters that are changing the world
Forbes Prestigious 30 Under 30 List for Science Honors Locus AG’s VP of Agricultural Operations
SOLON, Ohio (January 8, 2020) Forbes Magazine released its prestigious 30 Under 30 list of young entrepreneurs, risk-takers and game changers for 2020 and named Alex Fotsch, Vice President of Agricultural Operations at Locus Agricultural Solutions® (Locus AG) one of 30 individuals in the science field who is redefining what it means to innovate and lead by example.
Forbes recognized Fotsch for his work managing the Locus AG’s product development team from ‘concept to launch and involvement in the company’s successful funding rounds.’ His efforts included educating and engaging impact investors about backing Rhizolizer®, the only technology in the world that can immediately grow more food on less land, fight climate change, and reduce the use of chemicals in agriculture.
“I’m ecstatic and honored to be named to Forbes 30 Under 30 class in Science for 2020. It is thanks to my family and Locus AG team that I was able to achieve this preeminent recognition,” Fotsch said. “Congratulations to my fellow classmates. I look forward to seeing what we accomplish in 2020 and beyond.”
Fotsch, who is 29 years old and lives in San Diego, joined Locus AG in 2016 as Director of Agricultural Operations. He was promoted to vice president last January and is primarily responsible for managing a 15-person team that tests and coordinates trials for the company’s biological soil amendments and biopesticides. Fotsch leads the development and launch of new products that can solve industry pain points and provides sales and marketing support. His many achievements include launching Rhizolizer in over 40 states and Terradigm™—a natural soil microbial “probiotics” treatment that improves the quality and resiliency of turf and ornamentals while reducing carbon footprints—in 20 states.
“The hard work and creativity from Alex and his team was a large part of our first commercialized product—Rhizolizer—being named the Best New Biological Product of 2019 in a global Crop Science Awards competition run by Agribusiness Intelligence,” said Paul Zorner, the company’s Chief Agronomist. “That recognition is a great example to show that Locus AG would not be where it is today without Alex’s energy, creativity, dedication and team-oriented approach to helping build our company.”
Each Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree receives an in-depth evaluation as part of a vetting process that leverages the organization’s wide-reaching community of skilled reporters and trusted judges.
According to the organization, being named a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree carries a lifelong reputation of embodying the revolutionary, innovative and entrepreneurial spirit that the organization represents.
The Forbes recognition comes on the heels of AgGrad naming Fotsch as one of its 30 Under 30 last year.
Before joining Locus AG, Fotsch was a Product Strategy Manager and Product Development Manager with SG Biofuels Inc. Previously, he was a Research Assistant at Cornell University’s McCouch Rice Lab and a Research Intern at UC San Diego’s Briggs Lab at the California Center for Algae Biotechnology. Fotsch also served as a Delegate with the Assembly of Delegates with the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials. He received his B.S. degree from Cornell University where he attended the School of Integrative Plant Science and the Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management. Fotsch also attended the University of New South Wales with a concentration on international business.
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About Locus Agricultural Solutions
Locus Agricultural Solutions (Locus AG) is agtech start-up social enterprise with patented and award-winning earth technologies that are made using a microbrewery-type fermentation process to address interrelated challenges of fighting climate change and increasing food security. The company gets its core scientific capabilities from its parent company Locus Fermentation Solutions (Locus FS), a Solon, Ohio-based green technology accelerator business that finds innovative, all-natural ways to solve industry pain points. Visit LocusAG.com for more information.