Interesting read in Reuters focusing on the three chief executives involved in the three-way fight involving fertilizer manufacturers Terra Industries, CF Industries and Agrium, “Fertilizer war throws spotlight on CEOs.”

Here’s the key graph about Terra boss Mike Bennett, whom Reuters notes started at the Sioux City-based company as an operations technician at the Port Neal plant in 1973 and worked his way up the ladder to become CEO in 2001.

“He has earned a reputation as a strong operator and a consummate company man who is fiercely loyal to Sioux City.”

The story points out that Bennett and other senior Terra management face tough sledding at the company’s annual shareholders meeting on Nov. 20, where CF has nominated slate of candidates to replace three Terra-based directors.

A victory for the CF nominees would likely help the Deerfield, Ill.-based firm clinch a deal.

“This is a gritty management (at Terra) and they value their independence. And I think they’ve made an awful good case for continuing to be independent,” Charlie Rentschler, analyst at Wall Street Access, told Reuters.

Tags: Agrium, CF, economy, fertilizer, Iowa, Sioux City, takeover, Terra

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