1949 – 2020
It is with great sadness we announce that Dr. David L. Miles, a founding member of ExcelAg who led the global R&D platform during his time with the company, passed away last night September 23rd following a battle with prostate cancer. Dr. Miles passed away at his North Carolina home, surrounded by his family. We were blessed by his brilliance and innovative thinking, and are grateful to have served under his great technical leadership.
Dr. Miles, “David” as he was known to most, was one of ExcelAg’s founders and until his recent retirement, provided leadership, inspiration and significant contributions to our company. His innovative knowledge, teamwork, scientific approach, hard work and amazing talent will be always remembered and appreciated by those of us who worked closely with him for so many years.
Dr. Miles’ nearly 50-year career in chemicals and life sciences included management, manufacturing, project management, and research and development experience with multinational chemical companies including direct involvement in projects in eleven different countries.
Prior to founding ExcelAg Corp. with his partners, Jorge E. Cepeda Sr. and Nely V. Cepeda Esq., Dr. Miles served as Senior Manager Contract Manufacturing and New Product Development with Rhone-Poulenc Agro S.A where he managed the manufacturing and packaging of ~$500 million of pesticide formulations for the global markets. Dr. Miles also held responsibilities in Global New Product Industrialization, where he coordinated the scale-up & industrialization process for all new formulations. In this capacity, he also directed the installation of cutting edge closed container packaging systems which would be purposed during the launch of major initiatives, including global corn herbicides and pesticides.
Dr. Miles received his Ph. D. in Organometallic Chemistry from the University of Southern California. Dr. Miles received four patents and was published several times in major chemical publications. Dr. Miles is survived by his loving wife, Linda, his children Lucas, Gabrielle, Alexa, and Ashley, his children-in-law and all his grandchildren.
On behalf of the ExcelAg family, we express our deepest condolences and extend our thoughts and prayers to the Miles family.