By Laura Gorham
A 15-member advisory board has been assembled to aid the PIE Center in shaping, refining and achieving the center’s mission, vision and goals.
Discussion at last year’s steering committee meeting, which was attended by almost 50 stakeholders, confirmed the need for the PIE Center to transition to an advisory board structure.
Previous steering committee meetings developed suggested functions, organization and bylaws for an advisory board. After the successful legislative budget request, the steering committee gave the PIE Center approval to solicit nominations and recruit potential members.
PIE Center Director Tracy Irani received nominations from across the country. Jack Payne, UF/IFAS senior vice president, reviewed and approved the final pool of nominees before the PIE Center extended invitations in February. Each of the members was chosen to represent a specific segment of the center’s stakeholder base.
The 15-member advisory board will help the PIE Center with a variety of functions, such as providing input and strategic oversight of PIE Center activities and allocations, as well as feedback and evaluation of current and proposed initiatives.
“The board will help us examine and refine our current strategic plan, including mission and vision statements,” Irani said. “We will use their advice and expertise to further extend our mission and to more effectively use our resources.”
The new advisory board members represent private businesses, government agencies, public organizations and academic sectors of the agricultural and natural resources industries.
Members include:
- Lionel J. “Bo” Beaulieu, assistant vice president for engagement, director of the Purdue Center for Regional Development, Purdue University
- Hannah Carter, director, Wedgworth Leadership Institute for Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences
- David Colburn, interim director, Bob Graham Center for Public Service, University of Florida
- Michael Dukes, interim director, Center for Landscape Conservation & Ecology, University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences
- Rosemary Fagler, manager of community relations, Plum Creek Timber Company
- Ray Gilmer, vice president of issues management and communications, United Fresh Produce Association
- Ron Hamel, executive vice president and general manager, Gulf Citrus Growers Association
- John Hayes, dean of research, University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences
- John Hoblick, president, Florida Farm Bureau
- Jeanna Mastrodicasa, assistant vice president, University of Florida Student Affairs
- Darrell Smith, assistant director, Office of Agricultural Water Policy, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Sciences
- Greg Strader, executive director, Be Ready Alliance Coordinating for Emergencies
- Regina Thomas, senior vice president, Farm Credit of Central Florida
- Nick Wiley, executive director, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
- Dreamal Worthen, professor, Florida A&M University’s College of Agricultural and Food Sciences
Irani said the PIE Center is planning for the board’s first meeting in Fall 2013. She expects to hold the meeting in Gainesville, where advisory board members can see the center first hand.
“We are really excited and looking forward to the first meeting,” she said. “Since we will be in Gainesville, we will be able to tour the facility and allow the board members to meet our faculty, staff and students.”
