Alexandria, Virginia, USA
July 15, 2010

Seven new seedsmen entered into leadership position within the American Seed Trade Association at the recent ASTA convention in San Antonio, Texas.

“ASTA represents nearly 700 seed-related businesses and is a member-driven organization,” said Andy LaVigne, ASTA president and chief executive officer. “Nowhere is this reflected more than in the many volunteers who donate their time, unique skill sets and expertise for the betterment of the industry. Our members are the foundation of the Association and we rely heavily on them to direct our policies. ”

New ASTA officers include:

• Tracy Tally, president of Texas-based Justin Seed Company, Inc., will serve as Southern regional vice president. This region includes New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana.
• Jerry Flint, senior director of biotechnology regulatory affairs with Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont business, will serve as chair of the International Executive Committee. The International Executive Committee plays the lead role in ASTA’s global agriculture policy development and international programs by setting global and country priorities; developing and designing strategies for ASTA representatives to the International Seed Federation and U.S. Department of Agriculture cooperator programs; providing guidance and participating in ASTA’s priority country working groups; and advocating ASTA’s message to U.S. government and stakeholders on the value of international programs in addressing global seed issues.
• Fred Mohr, turf seed manager at Pennsylvania’s Seedway LLC, will serve as chair of the Legislative and Legal Committee. This committee is responsible for developing and reviewing policy positions originating in ASTA’s standing committees and divisions which require legislative or regulatory action.
• John Latham, director of marketing for Iowa-based Latham Hi-Tech Seeds, Inc., will serve as chair for the Corn & Sorghum Seed Division.
• Dan Sharp of Kansas-based Sharp Brothers Seed Company will serve as chair of the Farm Seed Division.
• Kris Mantey, senior regulatory specialist at The Scotts Company, will serve as chair of the Lawn Seed Division.
• Matt Sowder, regional product manager at Winfield Solutions LLC, will serve as chair of the Soybean Seed Division.
• Paul Kjolhaug of Minnesota’s Mayer SeedLine LLC, will serve as chair of the Brokers and Agents Division.

They join 23 other individuals and together make up the Association’s Board of Directors. Officers and chairs may serve from one to three years, depending on the position.

This group of volunteers is the genesis of leadership and policy, directing the future of the Association. They are charged with the identifying issues and priorities specific to the seed industry and facilitating discussion of industry-wide activities and concerns, new industry developments and market promotion, among many other tasks.

Website: http://www.amseed.org

Published: July 16, 2010