Earlier in the week, Topcon announced the addition of two new regional sales managers for precision ag — Jim Roche and James Platte.

Jim Roche has been named southeast regional sales manager for Topcon Precision Agriculture (TPA). In his new position, Roche will report to Marty Cook, North America sales manager. Roche has an extensive background in sales strategy with 20 years of experience in driving revenue growth for Deere & Company, Case Corporation, Hyundai Construction Equipment Inc., and Manitex Liftking.
 
About Roche, Cook said, “Jim brings a well-rounded management background to this position. He has proven ability in managing regional sales initiatives, locating potential dealers and making persuasive product demonstrations and presentations. With previous companies, his regions moved into the Top 5 percent in sales performance.”
 
A graduate of Eastern Illinois University with a marketing degree, Roche said, “My extensive background with major manufacturers that use Topcon equipment on their farm machinery presents me the perfect opportunity to assist in TPA’s continued growth.”
 
He said, “I am excited about the challenges associated with this new position and am looking forward to working with the TPA dealer network and growing Topcon’s precision agriculture business in the Southeast region.”

James Platt, a former Topcon ag product distributor, has joined Topcon Precision Agriculture (TPA) as regional sales manager for 11 states. In his new position, Platt will report to Marty Cook, TPA North American sales manager.

Formerly the owner of Plateau Lasers and Technologies in Yuma, Arizona, Platt has a degree in electronic engineering technology from Arizona Western College and completed course work at the University of Arizona-Yuma in agriculture technology management in the mid 1990’s. Plateau Lasers recently was sold to RDO Integrated Control of Fargo, North Dakota.
 
At Plateau Lasers, Platt trained end-users on Topcon products, and promoted TPA products that improved farming operations’ efficiencies in water management and GPS positioning.
 
Platt is a former farmer and farm operations president and CEO and general manager/controller for Spectra Physics/Laser Supply, Inc., a laser machine control dealership in Phoenix, Arizona.
 
Cook said, “It is not often that a company has the opportunity to hire a person with the extensive experience that Jim has in our segment of the marketplace. He has been a farmer and a dealer so he brings a unique perspective to the regional sales manager position.
 
“His expertise will be of great benefit to farmers and farm operators throughout his region.”
 
On his new position, Platt said, “For years I’ve worked very closely with Topcon and with agriculture operators and I understand both ends of the business. There is no doubt that Topcon is an industry leader and my job will be to aggressively pursue every opportunity to tell the Topcon story to the agricultural community.”
 
Platt’s region includes: Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Texas, Kansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama.