A 15-member advisory board will help the PIE Center shape, refine and achieve the center’s mission, vision and goals.
Discussion at last year’s steering committee meeting, attended by about 50 stakeholders, confirmed the need for the PIE Center to transition to an advisory board structure.
Previous steering committee meetings suggested functions, organization and bylaws for an advisory board, says PIE Center Director Tracy Irani. After the successful legislative budget request, the steering committee suggested the center solicit nominations and recruit potential members.
“A transition to a smaller advisory board has been on our radar since 2009,” Irani said. “Having received recurring state funding, the PIE Center is finally in a position to make this a reality.”
Irani received nominations from across the country. Jack Payne, UF/IFAS senior vice president, reviewed and approved the final nominees before the PIE Center started inviting members in February. Each member was chosen to represent a specific segment of the center’s stakeholders.
The advisory board will provide guidance with a variety of functions, such as supplying 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 are eager to listen to their advice and expertise in order to further extend our mission and to more effectively use our resources.”
The advisory board represents private businesses, government agencies, public organizations and academic sectors of agriculture and natural resources.
The PIE Center has begun planning for the board’s first meeting, which will be held in Gainesville in Fall 2013.
“We are really excited about and looking forward to the first meeting,” Irani said. “Because we will be in Gainesville, we will be able to show them our facility and allow the board members to meet our faculty, staff and students.”
