The National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA) is pleased to announce three marketing and agricultural leaders as winners of the 2024 Professional Development Awards of Excellence.
Marketing Communications – Erin Kolstad, G&S Business Communications
During her 7-year tenure at G&S, Erin has quickly learned new technical information and understands how to apply communication strategy to help achieve business goals. Erin demonstrates a keen understanding of the industries she supports and has leveraged that knowledge to drive successful and innovative campaigns. Over the past 18 months, Erin has been a key driving force behind several mission critical campaigns. As a member of the Carolinas-Virginia chapter board, Erin has served as the communications chair, promoting and helping plan the chapter’s key events. She also manages social and email communications to engage chapter members.
Public Relations – Sandra Mason, Association of Equipment Manufacturers
Sandra Mason has served as the Director of Public Relations for the Association of Equipment Manufacturers for over 8 years, responsible for setting and implementing the strategic direction of the public and media relations efforts for theassociation, as well as trade shows, including Commodity Classic, CONEXPO• CON/AGG, World of Asphalt and the Utility Expo. Additionally, within the last 18 months, Sandra has led the public relations charge on two high-profile initiatives for AEM: the Celebration of Modern Agriculture on the National Mall and the AEM Manufacturing Express. In addition to participating in conferences and meetings, she also serves on the Student NAMA Committee and has participated in Best of NAMA judging.
Sales – Cheri Knoy, Farm Progress
Cheri Knoy has been honored for bringing teams together, receiving Vance Publishing’s Tony Pugliese Award. An expert in relationship building, Cheri knows how to put together an overall proposal for a client to hit their goals. She focuses on more than traditional advertising and gets to know the strategy and objectives of her customers and puts together packages that achieve success. As a NAMA member since 1998, she has served in many roles including president of the NAMA Pacific and Southwest Chapters. She has served on the conference committee and judged the marketing competition.
The awards will be presented in conjunction with the NAMA Fall Conference, October 14-16 in Minneapolis.