Bill McCarthy

Bill McCarthy has extensive experience in the field of plant breeding and research. Bill began their career at Sakata Seed America, Inc. in 1993 as a Pepper Breeder, where they developed multiple hybrid pepper varieties for North American markets. Bill also conducted trials in key pepper markets in North America. In 1999, they moved to Seminis Vegetable Seeds as a Tomato Breeder, where they developed hybrid tomato varieties for various regions including Eastern US, Caribbean, Brazil, and Thailand. Bill also performed inbred and hybrid trials globally. In 2000, they returned to Sakata Seed America, Inc. as a Pepper Breeder, focusing on bell peppers, jalapeno peppers, and poblano peppers. Bill developed additional hybrid pepper varieties and conducted trials in North America. In 2019, they joined Bayer Crop Science as the Americas Pepper Breeding Lead, responsible for coordinating research and development activities for sweet peppers, particularly specialty sweet pepper segments in North America. Bill was also a representative for the R&D Pepper Division in Bayer's Global Crop Team. In 2020, they transitioned to the role of Associate Research Director and later became the Research and Development Director at Sakata Seed America, Inc.

Bill McCarthy has a strong educational background in horticulture and plant genetics. Bill obtained their Bachelor of Applied Science (B.A.Sc.) in Horticulture from Michigan State University, where they studied from 1982 to 1987. Following this, McCarthy pursued further education at North Carolina State University. Bill completed their Master of Science (M.S.) degree in Horticulture and Statistics from 1987 to 1990. Finally, McCarthy earned their Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Horticulture and Plant Genetics from North Carolina State University, where they studied from 1990 to 1993.