DuPont Pioneer President Paul Schickler will retire effective Jan. 2, DuPont announced. “We cannot thank Paul enough for his substantial and enduring contributions to advancing production agriculture over his more than four-decades-long career,” James C. Collins, DuPont executive vice president, said in a statement. “Paul has always operated with the customer in mind, and his intense customer focus has created significant value for countless growers and for DuPont.” Schickler said his work on the merger between Dow and DuPont left him optimistic about the future. “Having played an active role in the merger planning process and in setting the direction for the combined ag division, I am confident that the merger with Dow sets a strong foundation for the intended ag company to deliver innovative solutions to farmers, greater choice, and competitive price for value, while helping to address some of the world’s most urgent challenges,” he said a statement. Schickler began his career with Pioneer in 1974.