In December 2019, less than a minute after the news release announced Pam Marrone’s plans to retire as CEO from Marrone Bio Innovations in Davis, her phone rang. It was Roger Tripathi, CEO of Primary BioAg Innovations and Global BioAg Linkages. He wanted Marrone a pioneer in the industry of biological-based, nonchemical products to control agricultural pests and promote plant health to work for the two companies he founded in 2019. After 30 years as a CEO of bio-ag companies, Marrone, 64, was ready for a change. Leading a public company since 2013 with quarterly reportings and strict regulations had become a grind, and she knew she could have a bigger impact on more entrepreneurs