Richard Grazzini

Richard Grazzini of State College, Pa., was a high school biology teacher from 1975 to 1978, and after receiving his master's degree, he held a series of technical, marketing and scientific positions before joining Centre Analytical Laboratories -- later Exygen Research -- in State College in 1989. While pursuing his doctorate, Grazzini retained his position at Exygen Research, where he held progressively responsible positions including director of marketing, vice president and president. Since 2007, he has been executive director of Garden Genetics in Bellefonte, Pa., a firm he co-founded to conduct contract research and proprietary breeding projects to develop new varieties of ornamental, edible and medicinal plants.