The nation’s largest trade organization for agriculture pest management, CropLife, has named the recipients of its annual awards for excellence in pesticide development. The CropLife awards are meant to recognize responsible and effective use of pesticides to provide a safe, affordable and abundant food supply.
Fourteen recipients of 2007 CropLife America industry awards were honored in six categories for excellence in and dedication to the pesticide industry. The winners, recommended by industry professionals and chosen by CropLife America leadership, were named during the CropLife America Annual Meeting: One Vision. One Voice. Endless Possibilities on September 24-26 in White Sulphur Springs, W.V.
“The CropLife America awards honor individuals within the pesticide industry who are truly making a difference. For the first time this year, we are also recognizing state policymakers and agricultural ambassadors who are instrumental in carrying pesticide benefits messages to their communities. Their commitment to supporting the world’s finest food supply network is commendable,” said Jay Vroom, president and CEO of CropLife America. “Without the benefits of pesticides, Americans would not be able to enjoy the world’s safest, most affordable and abundant food supply.”
The highest honor of the evening, the Lea. S. Hitchner award, named for the association’s first and longest-serving president, was bestowed upon Jean Reimers, director of government affairs at Bayer CropScience.
“Jean shows the same dedication and drive to our industry shown by Lea Hitchner. As director of government affairs for Bayer CropScience, Jean has worked to ensure the interests of Bayer CropScience, the pesticide industry and the American farmer are represented in Congress,” Vroom commented. “Her work with CropLife America, including as a member of our strategic oversight and federal affairs committees, has helped guide the industry’s priorities on Capitol Hill and other policy venues.”
An honorary Lifetime Achievement Award was also presented to Jack Dutra, president of JD Information Services, Inc. Currently, Dutra serves as a consultant on water and environmental issues affecting the Non-Point Source area to major chemical companies in the crop protection industry. He has worked in the pesticide industry for over 40 years.
In addition to the Hitchner Award and Lifetime Achievement Award, other categories and winners included:
Workhorse Award
The Workhorse Award recognizes individuals who, over the course of many years, have shown dedicated service to the pesticide industry and CropLife America, working hard and diligently to promote both. Winners this year included:
— Marty Fitzpatrick, manager, product stewardship, BASF Corporation
— John Jachetta, regulatory science and government affairs business leader, Dow AgroSciences, LLC
— Eric Maurer, federal registration manager, Valent USA Corp.
Urbanowski Grassroots Award
The Urbanowski Grassroots Award is presented to individuals, who are not CropLife America members, but work to promote our industry within communities and through grassroots activities. This year’s winner is:
— Terry Witt, executive director, Oregonians for Food and Shelter
Presidential Path to Leadership
The Presidential Path to Leadership award encourages and thanks CropLife America leaders who have shown exemplary service as voluntary chairs of one or more of our committees. Winners this year included:
Roosevelt Chair:
— David Fischer, manager, ecological effects group, Bayer CropScience
— Russell Jones, senior principal scientist, Bayer CropScience
— Diane Allemang, vice president, regulatory affairs, Cheminova Inc.
— Stacey Stater, assistant general counsel, Monsanto Company
— James Kunstman, director, regulatory services, PBI/Gordon Corporation
Lincoln Chair:
— Iain Kelly, product safety manager, Bayer CropScience
State Policymaker Award
The State Policymaker Award honors individuals who demonstrate outstanding leadership in the area of state legislative issues and promotes initiatives that preserve, protect and advance the ability for farmers to provide a safe, affordable and abundant food supply to Americans. Winners this year included:
— Jack Peterson, associate director, Arizona Department of Agriculture
— State Representative Dolores Mertz, District 8; ranking member, state agriculture committee, Iowa Legislature
Agriculture Ambassador Award
The Agriculture Ambassador Award honors a member of the media or an allied organization who has made a major contribution to the education of the public about pesticides and its contribution to a safe, affordable and abundant food supply. Winners this year included:
— Jeff Kinney, reporter, Bureau of National Affairs
— Janet Braun, ambassador coordinator, MidAmerica CropLife Association
— Heather Hansen, executive director, Washington Friends of Farms and Forests
Chairman’s Award
The Chairman’s Award honors an individual within the CropLife America staff for their exceptional service to member companies, the industry and the association. Winners this year included:
— Dee Ann Staats, environmental science policy leader, CropLife America
— Sylvia Rosas, legal administrative assistant, CropLife America
— Lisa Johnson, office services assistant, CropLife America