Syngenta’s Dave Flakne Earns Honors for Leadership in Agriculture

Syngenta Crop Protection has announced that Dave Flakne, Head of State Affairs, has been recognized with two of the agriculture industry’s most distinguished honors: the Bill Northey Legacy Award from the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) and the Lea S. Hitchner Award from CropLife America (CLA). Together, the awards recognize exceptional leadership, sustained service and longstanding contributions to advancing agriculture through public policy, advocacy and partnership.

Flakne is the first recipient of NASDA’s newly named Bill Northey Legacy Award, formerly known as the Ambassador’s Circle Award, which recognizes external stakeholders who have demonstrated exemplary dedication to advancing NASDA’s mission and supporting state departments of agriculture. The award was renamed in honor of the late Bill Northey, former Iowa Secretary of Agriculture and USDA Under Secretary, whose leadership and commitment to agriculture left a lasting impact across the industry.

NASDA recognized Flakne’s unwavering dedication to agriculture, collaborative leadership style, and longstanding relationships with state agriculture officials nationwide. The organization cited his decades of engagement with NASDA and his commitment to advancing shared priorities through thoughtful advocacy, practical problem-solving and trusted partnerships.

The Lea S. Hitchner Award is a high honor presented by CLA, recognizing individuals who have demonstrated sustained career dedication, leadership and service to the crop protection industry. Presented since the 1960s, the award honors individuals whose contributions have helped shape agriculture and advance the work of the association over the course of their careers.

At CLA’s 2026 Annual Meeting, Flakne was recognized for his longstanding commitment to agriculture and his significant contributions to the policy and regulatory environment that enables innovation and supports grower success.

“Dave’s career reflects a deep commitment to agriculture, a collaborative approach to problem solving and an unwavering focus on supporting farmers,” says Vern Hawkins, NA Executive Advisor and former Head of Crop Protection, North America. “Throughout his career, he has built trusted relationships with state agriculture leaders across the country, helped advance science-based policy and advocated for solutions that strengthen agriculture. These awards are a testament not only to Dave’s leadership, but also to the respect he has earned throughout the industry. We are incredibly proud of this well-deserved recognition.”

For more about Dave Flakne, continue reading at syngenta-us.com.