"My approach starts with listening - because that's where real innovation begins"

Orbia Netafim has appointed Melissa Lilze as Senior Vice President, North America, effective January 1, 2026. As part of her new role, Lilze will also join Netafim's Executive Leadership Team. Lilze succeeds Mike Hemman, who has served as SVP North America.

Lilze has been with Orbia Netafim since 2016, starting as a Sales Representative in California and quickly advancing to lead sales in the Western US. Most recently, she served as Senior Director of Sales for North America, where she was instrumental in expanding the business and strengthening customer relationships.

Prior to joining Orbia Netafim, Lilze held national and regional leadership roles in leading ag-tech companies, successfully opening new markets, building high-performing sales teams, and securing major multi-year agreements with industry partners.

"Melissa's appointment marks an exciting milestone for Orbia Netafim," said Gaby Miodownik, Executive Vice President and President of Orbia's Precision Agriculture business (Netafim). "Melissa embodies the values and culture we have cultivated over many years of industry leadership. This, combined with her deep industry knowledge, commercial excellence, and people-first approach, makes her the ideal fit to lead our North America business, which is a key growth market for Orbia Netafim. We are proud to have Melissa on board our Executive Leadership Team as we continue to deliver real results for farmers across the globe."

"I'm excited to take on this role and lead our next chapter of growth for Netafim North America," said Melissa Lilze, Senior Vice President, North America, Orbia Netafim. "Our focus for the coming years is clear: deliver smarter irrigation solutions that empower growers, strengthen partnerships, and drive sustainable impact. My approach starts with listening — to our customers, our teams, and the land — because that's where real innovation begins. Together, we'll accelerate progress, create value across the supply chain, and ensure agriculture and specialty markets thrive for generations to come."