Meet The Leaders

Pat Brownfield, RST: President – Registered Seed Technologist

Pat has spent 30 years in Quality Control/Assurance for an International Seed Company. As a member and past president of the Society of Commercial Seed Technologist she has severed the industry in various positions; SCST Ethics Chair, current SCST International Committee Chair, AOSA Research Committee member, AOSA International Committee member, ISTA Vigor Committee member, ISTA Proficiency Committee member, ISST Vice-President, and served on the US Lab accreditation task force for several years. Pat brings an in-depth knowledge of regulatory issues, lab accreditation, quality assurance programs, and seed testing to the company.

Colleen Oliver, RST: Seed Lab Manager – Registered Seed Technologist.

Colleen is a 21 year veteran of seed testing, starting her career in 1987 working in the lab at Asgrow Seed Company in Filer, ID. She has worked for two International seed companies bringing a detailed knowledge in purity testing, vigor testing, and viability testing to our laboratory. Colleen is a member of the Society of Commercial Seed Technologist, having obtain the professional title of Registered Seed Technologist, she provides both technical knowledge and leadership skills to our company.

Penny Ramirez: Administrative Assistant

Penny was new to seed testing when she joined BioDiagnostics West in March of 2008, but no stranger to running an office having previously spent 13 years as an Administrative Assistant at the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality. She enjoys customer service and looks forward to helping you with any informational needs you might have.

Arleen Hurt: Seed Technologist Testing Lead

Arleen started in the seed business in 1972, working for Gallatin Valley Seed, and moved into the seed testing lab in 1978. She has been testing samples for 30 years and working in all aspects of seed testing; soil, conductivity, vigor, usable transplants, purity, and germination with no plans to retire anytime soon. Since she retired from a large International seed company she finds the pace at BioDiagnostics West just right.

Wanda Ulrich: Seed Technologist Testing Lead

Wanda began her testing career in 1980 when she joined the Roger Brothers Seed Company lab. She has been testing seed for 28 years coming to work for BioDiagnostics West in 2006. Wanda provides expertise in purity, germination, conductivity and vigor testing that has been enhanced over the many years of attending workshops and seed schools while working for an International Vegetable Seed Company.

Laboratory Support Staff

Yvonne Figueroa; Margarita Garcia; Emina Muminovic; Beverly Wirsching; and Shayna Rich-Gorgen complete our group making service to our clients their number one priority.