American Vanguard Appoints New Head of Manufacturing

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. - (BUSINESS WIRE) - American Vanguard Corporation (NYSE:AVD) today announced the planned retirement of Douglas Ashmore after a 24-year career as Vice President, Director of Manufacturing for the Company's wholly-owned subsidiary AMVAC Chemical Corporation. John Rizzi who joined the Company over a decade ago and who served as Senior Director of Operations during 2012, has been promoted to Vice President, Director of Manufacturing for AMVAC Chemical.

Eric Wintemute, Chairman & CEO of American Vanguard commented: "Doug Ashmore has been a driving force in growing AMVAC from a single formulating and packaging plant in 1988 to the manufacturer and formulator of dozens of active ingredients supplying our global business today. Over the years, Doug has managed the construction and acquisition of production facilities; has coordinated operations, engineering, supply chain and logistics functions; and has consistently maintained the highest priority on worker safety, environmental stewardship and product quality in keeping with our core values. We are delighted that Doug will continue to assist us with key projects on a consulting basis."

Mr. Rizzi's 28-year engineering and manufacturing career includes assignments in the U.S., Canada, Australia and New Zealand in addition to his key role as Plant Manager of AMVAC's largest facility in Axis, Alabama. He has undergraduate and master's degrees in chemical engineering from McGill University in Montreal, Canada and a Certificate in Business Studies from Waikato University, New Zealand.