Western Plant Health Association

WPHA Elects New Officers; Presents Awards

Outgoing WPHA Chairman Kent Johnson, left, hands over the gavel to incoming Chairman Barry Powell during the organization's annual meeting Oct. 5-7 in Monterey.

           SACRAMENTO, Calif., Oct. 13, 2008 – The Western Plant Health Association has elected new board members and officers for 2009. The organization also presented special awards to a few of its members during its annual meeting held Oct. 5-7 in Monterey, Calif.
            WPHA represents the crop protection and fertilizer manufacturers, biotechnology providers, and agricultural retailers in California, Arizona and Hawaii.
            WPHA officers elected Sacramentan Barry Powell, of CALAMCO in Stockton, as chairman; Michael Donnelly of Dow AgroSciences was named vice chairman; and Barbara LeVake of Trical, Inc., in Hollister became secretary/treasurer. Steve Gillette of Potash Corp and J.R. Abele of Chemtura Corp., in Fresno were selected as executive committee members.
          “I appreciate the confidence that the Board and membership have placed in me and will do my best to continue in the strong tradition and leadership that Kent Johnson (outgoing chair) achieved,” Powell said. “We have many challenges in the coming year, most notably water restrictions and the state of the economy. But with a terrific staff at WPHA and an engaged Board and membership, we will continue to do our best to represent our industry.”
           During the meeting, the following individuals were newly elected to three-year terms on the WPHA board of directors: Larry Wanken of BASF, John Smith of Bayer CropSciences and Jim Tuttle of Monterey Ag Resources representing crop protection manufacturers/formulators; Rex Harke of Agrium, US, representing fertilizer manufacturers; and representing the agricultural retailer segment of the industry were Joe Burdullis of Ag Rx, Joe Inglima of Mid Valley Ag Services, and Scott Hushbeck of Wilbur-Ellis Co.
            Each year at its annual meeting WPHA presents awards to those members who demonstrated outstanding service to the industry. This year’s Integrity Award went to Chris Moudry of Basin Fertilizer & Chemical Co., and the group’s Lifetime Achievement Award was bestowed upon Gordon Miller, of Western Farm Service.

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