Spectrum hires new international business director PLAINFIELD, Ill. — Spectrum Technologies, Inc., a leading manufacturer of weather stations and data loggers, is proud to introduce the newest member of the Spectrum management team.
David Lau, new international business director, brings more than 20 years of management and international business experience to his new role. Lau has lived and studied abroad and directed the international business activities for a leading manufacturer serving the horticultural and agricultural industries.
His background has included positions in broadcast meteorology and meteorological consulting, as well as in management consulting with Ernst & Young, LLP. Lau has a B.A. degree in Economics and German from Stanford University and an MBA from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business.
As international business director, Lau will work to identify and develop new international markets for Spectrum and strengthen the company’s network of international distributors.
Johanns appoints Iowan to FCIC board ST. LOUIS, Mo. — USDA Secretary Mike Johanns announced the appointment of Curt Sindergard of Iowa to the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation’s (FCIC) Board of Directors.
Sindergard currently serves as a director on the QUALISOY Board of Directors and is chairman of QUALISOY’s Legislative Working Group. QUALISOY is a collaborative effort within the soybean
industry to help market soybeans that contain healthier oils, improve soybean meal and increase the global competitiveness of the U.S. soybean industry. Sindergard brings extensive experience in leadership, sales and agronomy to the FCIC board. He has had leadership roles with several other soybean industry organizations, including the American Soybean Assoc., Iowa Soybean Assoc. and Pocahontas County Soybean Assoc. He has farmed soybeans and corn since 1976 and sold seed since 1983.
The FCIC board helps manage the federal crop insurance program. The board’s principal duties include reviewing and approving insurance policies, plans and related materials, including modifications. The board also can reimburse organizations for their research, development and maintenance costs for new products.
“We congratulate Curt on his recent appointment,” said QUALISOY chairman Greg Anderson, a soybean farmer from Newman Grove, Neb. “His extensive experience will benefit all farmers, as the FCIC continues to promote the economic stability of U.S. agriculture.”
Sindergard, a farmer from Rolfe, Iowa, will serve as one of four producer representatives. Information regarding FCIC board meetings and related materials may be found at www.rma.usda.gov/fcic
A diverse 22-member QUALISOY Board of Directors sets research priorities, evaluates existing and emerging technologies, and determines future soybean trait enhancements that would benefit the food and feed industries.
Illinois academics win ACES awards
URBANA, Ill. — Faculty and staff of the University of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES) were honored recently at the annual Funk Awards banquet.
The Paul A. Funk Recognition Award, the College’s top faculty honor, went to Michael E. Gray of the Department of Crop Sciences, Joseph H. Pleck of the Department of Human and Community Development, and Bryan A. White, Department of Animal Sciences.
Receiving the College of ACES Alumni Association Award of Merit were: David H. Baker, Richard J. Feltes, Larry L. Fischer, Roscoe L. Pershing and Rodney E. Swoboda.
The Spitze Land-Grant Professorial Career Excellence Award was given to Mary Ann Lila of the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences.
Elvira de Mejia of the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition received the Faculty Award for Global Impact.
The Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching went to, at the senior level, Paul N. Ellinger, Department of Agricultural and Consumer Economics, and, at the college level, Kelly A. Tappenden, Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition.
Receiving the Faculty Award for Excellence in Research were James K. Drackley, Department of Animal Sciences, at the senior level and Vijay Singh, Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, at the college level.
Michael C. Hirschi of the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering received the Faculty Award for Excellence in Extension at the senior level. Paul E. McNamara of the Department of Agricultural and Consumer Economics received the award at the college level.
The Karl E. Gardner Outstanding Undergraduate Adviser Award went to Walter L. Hurley of the Department of Animal Sciences.
The John Clyde and Henrietta Downey Spitler Teaching Award was given to Karen M. Chapman-Novakofski of the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition. Earning the Team Award for Excellence was the Illinois Center for Soy Foods team, whose members are Keith R. Cadwallader, Barbara P. Klein and Karl E. Weingartner, all of the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, and Pradeep K. Khanna, National Soybean Research Laboratory and ACES administration.
Three Professional Staff Awards for Excellence were presented. James C. Schmidt of the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences was honored for sustained excellence in teaching and outreach. Douglas J. Maxwell of the Department of Crop Sciences was recognized for sustained excellence in research, and the award for sustained excellence in administrative/management or technical contributions went to Alison B. Schmulbach, administration and finance, ACES administration.
The Staff Award for Excellence went to Linda G. Harvey of the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences and Marcia A. Johnson of the Department of Crop Sciences.
The Marcella M. Nance Staff Award was given to Richard C. Keever of the Department of Animal Sciences.
Gerald K. Sims of the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences received the Service Recognition Award.
Graduate Student Research Awards were presented to Ryan N. Dilger, a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Animal Sciences, and Young Soo Song, a Master of Science candidate in the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition.
The Louis V. Logeman Graduate Student Teaching Award went to Mark W. Jarecki in the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences and Celina Wu Trujillo in the Department of Human and Community Development. This farm news was published in the May 16, 2007 issue of Farm World, serving Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan and Tennessee. |
