New NAFB president Lindsay Hill (ABN Radio) accepted the gavel from Greg Akagi (WIBW/Kansas Ag Net) during the Friday night president’s banquet to symbolize the beginning of a new slate of officers for the farm broadcasting organization, even though it will be the end of the year before it officially changes.
One new regional vice president was elected on Friday. Meghan Grebner (WMBD-Peoria) is the new representative for the eastern region. Ken Rahjes (KRVN) continues to represent the western region and Janet Adkison (KMZU-Carrolton, MO) is the southern region VP.
The new vice president of NAFB is Mark Oppold of RFD TV. I had the chance to interview both Mark and outgoing president Greg right after the business meeting was held on Friday afternoon. Greg says he is looking forward to seeing his family again after three years on the road for NAFB. “I’m going to relax. I’m just imagining that my wife, when December 31 rolls around, will say ‘Happy New Year’ and hand me a 2-3 page list that may take me all of 2011 to accomplish!”
Mark, who has been involved in NAFB for over 25 years as both a voting and an associate member, is looking forward to serving as an officer. He says membership continues to be a challenge for the organization and determining who should or should not qualify. “Membership always seems to float to the top pretty quick,” said Mark. “One of the primary functions of the national vice president is to serve as guardian of the membership roles for that year.” Mark says considering some type of accreditation will be on the table this year.
Listen to an interview with Greg and Mark here: Greg Akagi and Mark Oppold