Tassos Haniotis has been a member of the Cabinet of Dr. Franz Fischler, European Union (EU) Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development and Fisheries since March, 2000. In October, 2003, he was promoted within the Cabinet of Commissioner Fischler to Deputy Head of the Cabinet. His new tasks have shifted from domestic farm policy and the budget to international affairs, including external relations, trade and development. Within the Commissioner's portfolio of agriculture, rural development and fisheries, Tassos' new tasks cover WTO negotiations, as an adviser to the Commissioner, and the European Union's enlargement.
Previously, Tassos served four years as the Agricultural Counselor of the European Commission Delegation in the United States. He joined the Commission in 1989 and from 1990 until his arrival in the US was responsible for developing medium-term forecasts and quantitative analyses for EU agriculture within DG AGRI.Tassos received a B.A. from Athens Graduate School of Economics and Business in Athens, Greece in 1980. He received an M.S. in 1984 and a Ph.D in 1987 in Agricultural Economics both from the University of Georgia. In 1987, he was selected as the recipient of the Outstanding Ph.D. Paper Award and as the Outstanding Ph.D. Student. In 1988, he spent six months as a visiting Fellow at the Centre for European Agricultural Studies, Wye College, University of London, where he studied EU-US agricultural trade relations in the Uruguay Round of GATT negotiations.
Shuhei Kato is a Chemical Marketing Manager for Tomen America, Inc. in New York. He is in charge of marketing and sales development for imported medical devices in the United States. In addition, he is the supply/purchasing agent for U.S. agricultural supplies (specialty fertilizers) for export primarily to Japan. From 1995 to 1999, Shuhei's work was dedicated to educational marketing activities for biologically-centered, sustainable crop protection management, working as a marketing representative for the Ag-ecology Department of the Tomen Corporation in Japan. Since 2000, he has worked in the development and implementation of regulatory and marketing strategies/tactics for a diagnostic reagent for diabetes. In September, 2003, his company received FDA clearance for their product, GlycoMark.
In 1989 Shuhei received a B.A. in U.S. Studies from Seikei University, Faculty of Humanities in Japan. He graduated from UGA with a B.S.A. in Agricultural Economics in 1992. While at UGA, Shuhei was selected for the marketing plan competitor team for the National Agri-Marketing Association's student chapter. He received third place in the department's undergraduate paper competition in 1992. Shuhei was secretary/treasurer of the Agricultural Economics Club, a member of the Ag Hill Council and a member and vice president of the UGA Japanese Friendship Society. Spending time in the United States as a young man was a lot of fun for Shuhei. It especially inspired in him a confidence in cross-cultural communication. In 1996 Shuhei received the best grade in the practical English proficiency test authorized by the Japan Ministry of Education.
The education Shuhei received in the department prepared him for future life experiences and a successful career. He related, "At UGA, I was lucky to learn the basics of marketing strategies which were quite eye-opening, because all the theories could apply to everything that we deal with in our lives." In offering advice to current students in the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics, Shuhei stated, "Through several start-up type projects, I have found that the key trait of capable leaders is ‘persistence,' either expressly or quietly, but practically and pleasantly, hence effectively. I believe that academic discipline is a great opportunity to acquire it."
Krishna P. Paudel is an Assistant Professor of Resource and Environmental Economics at Louisiana State University Agricultural Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He teaches two classes and conducts research in water quality and water quantity issues and their impacts on recreational aspects. Krishna was a team member of a group that examined the impact of climate change in Southeast U.S. agriculture. He helped initiate and coordinate the Southern Regional CSREES grant workshop in Baton Rouge in the fall of 2003. The workshop was a great success with an attendance of more than 200. Krishna conducted research with a colleague on buying private land by a public agency. The research report is used by the governor of Louisiana to make decisions on the public purchase of environmentally sensitive tracts of coastal land for recreational purposes.
Krishna received a B.S. with Distinction in Agricultural Sciences from Tribhuvan University, Nepal in 1992. He received an M.S. in Agricultural Economics from Auburn University in 1995 and a Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics from the University of Georgia in 1999. While at UGA, Krishna was a member of the Ag Hill Council and served as president of the department's Graduate Student Association.
While pursuing his Ph.D., Krishna attended numerous professional meetings and worked and interacted with many faculty members. He also actively organized seminars. These activities helped him get to know people and find a job in academia. For graduate students who have aspirations for working in academia, Krishna suggests that they work hard, try to develop expertise in quantitative areas, read all the journal articles in their field, and present as many papers as they can at professional meetings. He advises, "Graduate students – while you are in a professional meeting, talk to others who are presenting papers in your session or others who have the same interest as yours. Professional meetings provide excellent opportunities for networking. Work hard to publish papers that you present in meetings. Do not procrastinate. Economics is becoming more like mathematics and statistics, so take classes in those departments to sharpen your skills. Serve as a teaching assistant for your major professor. Exposure in teaching makes you more qualified for jobs in academia. Overall, you should work really hard. Take time to get involved in graduate student organizations in the department and at the university."
Krishna is chair of the International Committee of the LSU Kiwanis Club and spends his extra time helping with the club's social outreach. In his leisure time, he likes to travel and see new places with environmental implications and enjoys organic gardening in his backyard. He enjoys spending time with his family traveling around national parks in the USA.
Craig Scroggs is a Cooperative Development Specialist with USDA Rural Development. He provides technical assistance to new and existing farmer cooperatives within the state of Georgia. He has been presented sixteen Certificates of Merit during his years with USDA, and in 1993 he was named County Supervisor of the Year. His greatest professional accomplishments were being elected president of an 1100 member employee association, leading the state in loan making for several years, assisting low income families in the purchase of their first homes, and helping farmers add value to their commodities.
Craig received a B.S.A. in Agricultural Economics from UGA in 1981. While in college, he was a member of the Ag Econ Club. He learned what personal responsibility was all about. His college experience prepared him for "life" and taught him there is a time for work and a time for play. He offers this advice to current students in the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics: "Take leadership roles, become comfortable with public speaking, and develop friendships and business contacts."
Craig's greatest personal accomplishments are associated with his family. His wife has become one of the best nursing home administrators in the state after only completing high school. His daughter graduated college and married a wonderful young man. Craig stated, "The birth of my son will always be a highlight of my life. I guess I am most proud of the fact that we have all grown in our relationship with God and are trying to become better Christians each and every day."
In his leisure time, Craig enjoys golf and woodworking. At his church, he sings bass in a men's ensemble, mixed ensemble, and praise team. He also teaches third grade Sunday School and Discipleship Classes.
Chuck Williams is the President and CEO of North Georgia Bank in Watkinsville, Georgia. He is responsible for all facets of the operation of the bank which has twelve employees. His greatest accomplishments since graduation from UGA have been working with great people at FmHA, C&S National Bank, Central & Southern Bank, and now at North Georgia Bank. Serving his community since returning to Oconee County five years ago has also been a highlight in Chuck's life. He has been chosen the Rotarian of the Year both in Greene County and Oconee County.
Chuck graduated from UGA with a B.S.A. in Agricultural Economics in 1977 and did graduate studies in Business Administration in 1980. While in college, he was a member of the Agricultural Economics Club, a member of Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society and received the Georgia Council of Farmers Cooperatives scholarship. Making lifelong friends in college, learning how to work with others and get along for the benefit of all has helped him in his professional career. His advice to current students in the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics is to seize every opportunity to meet those already in the business world – alums, etc. "These folks being able to recognize your name can make all the difference in getting that coveted job, etc. Be active in clubs, organizations, etc., but do not underestimate the value of spending spare time working in a part-time job – employers like to see that you already have a work ethic established."
Chuck is active in the Chamber of Commerce and Rotary Club and likes to follow local politics and government activities. In his leisure time, he enjoys hunting and managing wildlife on his tree farm.
