National Sorghum Producers and the United Sorghum Checkoff Program announced the hiring of two employees to its national headquarters in Lubbock, Texas, and the hiring of one southeast regional director.

“We are excited to welcome these talented new individuals to team sorghum,” said NSP and USCP CEO Tim Lust. “Each are uniquely qualified individuals that will be an asset to our organization, ensuring we continue to be the best in serving the sorghum industry.”

Debra Lloyd joins NSP as director of operations with more than 20 years of experience in operations management and finance. Lloyd was a small business owner for 13 years and has a B.B.A. in accounting from Texas Tech University.

Kelli Fulkerson takes the NSP communications director position. Fulkerson grew up on a farm and ranch in Michigan. She is a former Michigan state FFA officer and is a graduate of South Dakota State University with dual degrees in animal science and agricultural communications and a minor in marketing.

Brent Crafton will serve both NSP and USCP as a southeast regional director and assist with sustainability. Crafton previously organized the energy crop and grain sorghum field demonstrations in North America for Abengoa Bioenergy, and he has worked in the environmental monitoring field for six years. Crafton also served in the United States Army. He is a graduate of Southern Illinois University-Carbondale with a bachelor’s degree in agriculture, specializing in agriculture technology.

Additionally, Jennifer Blackburn has been named external affairs director for NSP and USCP. She previously held the position as NSP communications coordinator for four and a half years and recently served as the NSP director of operations during an interim period this fall. Blackburn takes over the external affairs director position from Lindsay Kennedy who will return to Texas Tech University in 2015 to pursue her Ph.D.