John McLean,  Director of the Genomics Technology Program for Monsanto Company

John McLean

John currently serves as Director of the Genomics Technology Program for Monsanto Company with responsibility for the generation of trait product vectors and quality assurance of transgenic events.   He also has matrix leadership of Monsanto’s plant transgenic pipelines (corn, soy, cotton and canola) and is responsible for pipeline speed, capacity, cost, innovation, data system strategy and investment.  During John’s tenure, Monsanto has strengthened its industry-leading ability to discover and test new product candidates.

John is a 28-year veteran of Monsanto with broad experience in research, process engineering, business development, business management, information technology and strategy.    He received his M.S. degree in Chemical Engineering Practice from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and his MBA degree from Washington University.  Prior to joining the Biotechnology team in January of 2001, he was the IT Lead responsible for building the application and bioinformatics capability integral to Monsanto’s combined Ag and Pharma Genomics initiative.  As Director, Strategy and Operations lead for the Biotechnology research group, John accelerated efforts to create value via external collaborations, participated in trait portfolio and enabling technology strategic decisions, and enhanced operational excellence of the global Biotechnology group via redesign of research teams/processes, expansion of patent science, championing innovation and introduction of quality systems (ISO, Six Sigma, and LEAN).

John and his family reside in St. Louis, Missouri.