James A. Wright

During his 30-year career with Pioneer, Jim Wright was responsible for the development of 110 corn inbreds and 46 commercial corn hybrids. After earning his doctorate, Jim conducted soybean research at Clemson University.

He joined Pioneer Hi-Bred in 1968 and established a new corn breeding research center in Winterville, N.C., which he managed until 1975. At that time, he became the southern research coordinator and manager of the Union City, Tenn., Research Center. There he led the virus and white corn work for Pioneer.

From 1986 to 1993, Jim served as regional director of corn research for the southern United States. Then, from 1994 until his retirement in 1998, he was a senior scientist directing corn research for Africa and Mexico.

Jim is a member of the American Society of Agronomy and the Crop Science Society of America.