CAMBRIDGE, MASS. — Dean Banks, former Tyson Foods president and chief executive officer, is joining sustainable agriculture partner Indigo Ag as CEO and biotechnology company Flagship Pioneering as CEO-Partner, effective Feb. 1. Banks has been an Indigo board member since July 2022 and will continue in that role.

“Dean has been a strategic and deeply engaged board member for Indigo, drawing on his extensive experience as an entrepreneur, technologist, innovator and business executive,” said Robert Berendes, chairman of the board for Indigo Ag and executive partner at Flagship Pioneering. “He is an energizing leader and visionary, and I am confident he will steward the company into this next critical phase of growth and profitability, and ultimately realize the full potential of the Indigo platform for companies, farmers and the planet.”

During Banks’ four-year tenure with Tyson, he served on the board and executive leadership team. Banks was responsible for charting the long-term vision and transformation plan for Tyson, including integrating advanced technologies like artificial intelligence, robotics, sustainable supply chain solutions and the development of alternative proteins.

Banks left Tyson in June 2021 and was succeeded by current President and CEO Donnie King.

Previously, Banks served on the leadership team at Alphabet. He also has experience from several leadership and entrepreneurial positions in the food, agriculture, technology and life sciences industries.

Banks earned his bachelor’s degree from Miami University and a master’s degree in business administration from the Harvard Business School.

“I’m thrilled to take on the role of CEO of Indigo Ag,” Banks said. “Over the last year on the board, I have witnessed the tremendous investment we’ve made to build scientifically validated digital sustainability tools and biological products that farmers, agribusiness, our CPG partners and our planet urgently need. Indigo’s solutions are delivering on their promise to help make our farmers more successful today, driving higher yields and new revenue streams while helping them nurture their soil for better tomorrows. The company is uniquely positioned as a trusted, independent partner impacting millions of acres today across the agricultural value chain.”