Spring 2003
Kimberly Harley Cochran
Kimberly Harley Cochran graduated from UGA with a B.S.A. in Environmental Economics and Management in 1997. She received an M.S. in Agricultural and Resource Economics with a minor in Statistics from North Carolina State University in 2000. While attending UGA, Kimberly was a Presidential Scholar and on the Dean's List. She served as president and vice president of the Agricultural and Environmental Economics Club and as a UGA student senator. She later became a graduate research assistant.
Kimberly is a market analyst with the forecasting group at the Georgia Power Company. She analyzes market data to support company planning and to aid the marketing function with informed decision making. She and her team use statistical analysis to forecast revenues, energy sales and the company's peak demand for budgeting purposes.
Two college internships with Georgia E.P.D. and E. P. A.'s Innovative Strategies and Economics Group helped Kimberly's professional career immensely. These internships gave her contacts and experience. Kimberly's advice to students in the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics, "Get involved and network! Also, visit/shadow people in careers similar to what you think you want to do. It may guide your career decisions. (i.e., Would you mind sitting behind a computer all day or would you rather be outside?)"Kimberly considers her greatest accomplishments since graduation from UGA to be marrying a "wonderful man," earning a Master's degree ("even did a thesis!") and securing a permanent position with a widely respected company.
Kimberly lives in Marietta, Georgia. She enjoys spending time with her family, doing yoga, and exercising.
Jeret Elwell graduated from the University of Georgia with a B.S.A. in Environmental Economics and Management in 1998. While at the university, he was a member of the Agricultural and Environmental Economics Club. Jeret took as many hydrology and water resource related classes as possible, learned to network and worked as an intern. Engaging in these activities while in college has been instrumental in Jeret's professional career.
Since graduation from UGA, Jeret worked for the State Soil and Water Conservation Commission and the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service. He is currently employed by the Henry County Development Plan Review Department as an erosion control engineer. He reviews construction plans for proper erosion and sediment control measures and conducts educational courses on erosion and sediment control for clients and co-workers. Taking pertinent continuing education courses has enabled Jeret to remain current in the workplace.
Jeret's advice for students in the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics to research careers you are interested in and pursue internships. With as many possibilities that are applicable, do part-time work or volunteer your time.
"Getting married and having two beautiful daughters" are the accomplishments that Jeret considers to be his greatest since leaving UGA. He lives in Covington, Georgia and enjoys spending leisure time with his family, church, mountain biking, recreational sports and hiking.
David A. Gazda graduated from UGA in 1983 with a B.S.A. in Agricultural Economics and Agricultural Mechanization and Technology. Also, he took graduate courses in 1984-1985 in Agriculture from Stephen F. Austin State University. David works for the American Angus Association in St. Joseph, Missouri and is responsible for a four state territory which includes Georgia, Florida, North Carolina and South Carolina. He serves as a liaison to membership, advising them of services and assisting in the implementation of various programs offered by the association.
While at UGA, David was president of AGHON, a member of Alpha Zeta and on the Dean's List. He was also active in Block & Bridle, serving as president and vice president of the UGA club and vice president for the Southeast region. David was chairman of the Great Southland Stampede Rodeo, vice president of the Agriculture Mechanization & Technology Club, a member of the Ag Hill Council and served on livestock and meat evaluation judging teams.
Several activities during his college career have benefited David's professional career. He participated in various student organizations and clubs on South Campus and accepted leadership roles in these organizations as they presented themselves. He worked throughout his college career and gained valuable and practical work experience at both the University Swine Center and Whitehall Beef Unit where he lived as a student worker. In addition, the training and experience he gained by participating on livestock and meat animal evaluation teams has proven to be invaluable in his career in production agriculture and the beef cattle industry. David's advice to students in the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics, "Become involved in student organizations and clubs and pursue working internships. These vehicles provide excellent opportunities to develop work and leadership skills and make professional contacts but more importantly build people skills that will be invaluable in your chosen career area."
David considers his greatest accomplishments since graduation from UGA to be his wife of twenty years, formerly Carolyn Shackelford, who received a B.S.A. from UGA in Animal Science in 1983 and their two daughters, Katie, who is thirteen and Taylor, who is ten. Both girls attend Athens Academy. The Gazda's were voted the 1992 Georgia Angus Association Family of the Year, the 2002 Clark Oconee Cattlemen's Association Cattlemen of the Year and the 2003 Georgia Cattlemen's Association Purebred Cattlemen of the Year.
David lives with his family in Athens, and he is an avid runner and cyclist. He enjoys attending his daughters' softball, basketball and volleyball games. Both of his daughters are active in the 4-H Livestock Program in Oconee County, the Georgia Junior Angus Association and the National Junior Angus Association. They have both shown cattle on local, regional and national levels and the family often travels to attend these shows. The balance of this active family's free time is spent managing their registered Angus cow herd, Gazda Cattle Company, which is comprised of approximately sixty breeding age females.
John A. Gilleland graduated summa cum laude from UGA with a B.S. in Agricultural Economics in 1976 and cum laude from the UGA School of Law with a J.D. in 1980. He is a partner in the law firm Love, Willingham, Peters, Gilleland & Monyak, LLP. John's practice involves civil cases, primarily product liability and medical malpractice lawsuits.
John received numerous honors while attending the university which included being named the National Merit Scholar, the Tucker Dorsey Scholar, the Dean Tate Outstanding Sophmore - UGA and the College of Agriculture Outstanding Senior. He was a member of Phi Kappa Phi and received the Gold Kist Scholarship and the law school's Vasser Wooley Scholarship. John was also active in a number of organizations which included Phi Eta Sigma, BIFTAD, Omicron Delta Kappa, Blue Key and AGHON. He served as secretary and president of the Gridiron Secret Society, president of Sphinx and president of the Ag Hill Council. In addition, John was a student representative on the University Counsel, Georgia Agriculturist - Student Judiciary - Main Court Justice and served as a UGA student senator.
The choices John made while he was a student have proven beneficial in his professional career. He studied while lots of others were playing and got involved in worthwhile extra curricular activities. John's advice to students in the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics is, "1) Set goals and then work to achieve them. 2) Don't wait until your sophomore or junior year to get serious about studying."
John states that since leaving UGA, his greatest accomplishments have been that he and his wife have raised "three great kids" and that he formed his own law firm with three other partners.
John lives in Lilburn, Georgia, and his hobbies include golf and coin collecting. He participates in music and administrative activities at the Mountain Park United Methodist Church and attends his children's school and athletic activities. In his leisure time, John "loves to vacation at the beach."
Dr. Eugene C. "Gene" Murkison is a Professor of Management at Georgia Southern University. He teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in Global Management and Strategic Management. Dr. Murkison also conducts research in Managerial Selection and in Business History. In addition, he carries out service projects both on and off campus.
Dr. Murkison graduated from UGA with a B.S.A. in Agricultural Economics in 1959. He received an M.B.A. from the University of Rochester in 1970 and a Ph.D. from the University of Missouri in 1984. While attending UGA, Dr. Murkison was active in a number of extracurricular activities. He was a member of Blue Key and was an Alpha Zeta Scribe. He was also named in Who's Who is American Colleges and Universities. Dr. Murkison was editor-in-chief of the Georgia Agriculturist from 1958 through 1959. In addition, he was a member of the Ag Club, the X Club and the Ag Econ Club.
Since college graduation, Dr. Murkinson considers his greatest accomplishments to be serving the Nation in the U. S. Army Department of Defense at various levels from platoon leader to the joint operations staff at the Organization of Joint Chiefs and his "retirement" career in academe. Dr. Murkison's excellence in these two careers has brought him deserved recognition. He received various awards and medals from the U. S. Army and Department of Defense from 1959 through 1981. Also, he has been named in Who's Who in America, Who's Who in Education and Who's Who in the World. In addition, he was the Academy of Management Consortium Honoree in 1983.
There were a number of activities during Dr. Murkison's college career that helped him in his professional career. He learned quantitative and qualitative material in all academic areas; he worked on the Georgia Agriculturist and learned to write. In addition, Dr. Murkison associated with a peer group that had high standards and desired to serve the university and the area. Since Dr. Murkison had a double major, he was assigned two advisors, Dr. J. W. Fanning and Dean Drewry of the Journalism Department. Of his two advisors, Dr. Murkison states, "Seeing and talking with them was a constant inspiration for me." Dr. Murchison also mentioned a number of other professors who he considered motivational and inspirational. He still thinks of them often as he recalls their methods and brilliance. Dr. Murchison states that he hopes he is up to their standards in his current role at Georgia Southern.
When asked to give some advice to students in the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics, Dr. Murkison replied, "1. MAXIMIZE YOUR ACADEMICS! Especially learn and master quantitative procedures. 2. Participate in the extra-curricular activities. 3. Learn to write and to make presentations."
Dr. Murkison lives in Statesboro, Georgia and stays in physical shape by jogging, running and walking. In his leisure time, he works in his church in various leadership roles and does pro bono teaching and consulting for non-profit organizations.
Angela Stewart Panter graduated magna cum laude from UGA with a B.S.A. in Agricultural Economics in 1981, and she received a J.D. from the UGA School of Law in 1984. Angela is an attorney who works primarily in the areas of real estate law, wills, probate, adoptions and small corporations. While she does not have the typical career that results from an education in agricultural economics, her undergraduate education has been extremely valuable in her career as an attorney. She states, "I always enjoy the look of surprise when one of my clients notices my diploma and undergraduate degree!"
While a student at the university, Angela was actively involved in a number of organizations, including Phi Kappa Phi, Golden Key National Honor Society, Gamma Sigma Delta Honor Society, Alpha Zeta Honor Fraternity, and she was on the Dean's List. In addition, she was the recipient of the E. G. Dawson Scholarship. Angela was a member of the National Agri-Marketing Association, ABA/LSD and the Ag Hill Council. She served as secretary of the Agricultural Economics Club, secretary of the Student Bar Association, chairperson of the 1983 Law Day Committee and was the 1982 Orientation Leader. In 1983 she was named in Who's Who Among American Law Students and Outstanding Young Women of America.
Angela states that participation in various clubs and activities helped her develop friendships and also leadership skills. The two jobs she held while attending the university, student intern at the Georgia Crop Reporting Service and law clerk at a local law firm, both helped her decide which career path to choose.
Since graduation, Angela received the 1984 Leadership Georgia Award. She has served on the Fannin County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, the Fannin County Scholarship Foundation Board of Trustees, the Fannin County Board of Education, and as president and vice president of the Appalachian Judicial Circuit Bar Association. Angela states that her greatest accomplishments since graduation from UGA have been serving her community through church and various non profit boards. Serving on the Fannin County School Board has been especially rewarding for her. Angela lives in Blue Ridge, Georgia and is an active member of the Blue Ridge United Methodist Church. She enjoys participating in youth sports with her children as a parent volunteer, golf and travel.
Angela offers some valuable advice for students in the Department of Agriculture and Applied Economics, "Become involved in a club or organization to learn more about your chosen field and to develop friendships with others who have similar interest. Learning to ‘network' at an early stage is important in any career. Lifelong friendships and contacts are important and should be developed along with leadership skills."
Austin Pugmire is in new car sales at Pugmire Linclon-Mercury in Marietta, Georgia. When we asked Austin what have been his greatest accomplishment since graduation, he answered, "marriage to my UGA sweetheart, Allison Maddox, and having the opportunity to work for my family's 42 year old business."
Prior to working at his family business, Austin spent three successful years as a timber buyer at Scofield Timber Company in Atlanta. He states that the timber business was an incredible and enjoyable experience for him. The skills he leaned in that business of selling, people management and persistence have served Austin well and he believes they will be beneficial for the rest of his life. Though he misses the timber business, Austin believes he is where he was "destined" to be. He states that sales is the only line of work that could suit him.
Austin graduated from UGA with a B.S. in Agribusiness in 1997 and a Masters in Forest Resources in 1998. While still a freshman, Austin set goals for himself that were commendable yet attainable. He worked hard to achieve those goals and his determination paid off academically and professionally. Austin stated that he balanced the work with enough extracurricular enjoyment to keep his "gift of gab" honed. He served as secretary of his fraternity, Alpha Gamma Rho and credits his fraternity as being an excellent experience in leadership, commitment and development of personal skills.
Austin has some advice for students of the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics. He states, "Students need to set academic goals for themselves which are just a little bit above what they know they can achieve. This way, they have something to strive for, they can't slack because they can only hold themselves accountable. Studies also need to be balanced with social interaction. Getting involved in some kind of group makes the college experience much more worthwhile. Success in this world is not solely predicated upon your college GPA, it takes a lot more that high grades to really make it."
Austin lives in Kennesaw, Georgia and enjoys spending time with his wife, Allison, and his "lab," Timber. He enjoys fly fishing and deer and turkey hunting.
Dr. Tom Rodgers is the associate dean for Outreach and Extension at the College of Family and Consumer Sciences at UGA. He engages the college in the state's key issues related to nutrition, child and family and housing and consumer economics. Dr. Rodgers' work involves quite a bit of travel throughout Georgia and, on occasion, neighboring states. He regards his current position as another opportunity to make a difference in the lives of his fellow Georgians. Dr. Rodgers states, "When Dean Nichols called me about this position, I saw it as an opportunity to get back with Extension and work with county agents and to help them make their jobs more effective and to help find resources to expand their programs."
Dr. Rodgers brings more than 30 years of university-related experience to his role as associate dean. After spending five years as a community development specialist with the UGA Cooperative Extension Service, Dr. Rodgers was the State 4-H Leader for fourteen years. He then became the Extension Service Associate Director for County Operations before accepting the position of UGA Assistant Vice President for Outreach and Public Service. Dr. Rodgers has traveled to a number of foreign countries, including Brazil, Estonia, Japan, Nicaragua, Honduras and the Ukraine, lending his expertise on economic development to countries that in many cases are thirty to forty years behind the United States in several areas.
Dr. Rodgers graduated from UGA with a B.S. in Animal Science in 1967 and an M.S. in Agricultural Economics in 1969. In addition, he received an Ed.D. in Adult and Community College Education in 1977 from North Carolina State University. Dr. Rodgers was active in a number of organizations while in college. He was president of the Ag Hill Council, president of Block and Briddle and vice president of Independent Men. Also, he was a member of Blue Key, the AGHON Society and was a student senator. Dr. Rogers was named in Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities. After leaving UGA, he became a member of Gamma Sigma Delta, and Phi Kappa Phi at North Carolina State University. He received the Extension Friend of 4-H Award and was a member of Leadership Georgia in 1982.
Among the accomplishments that Dr. Rodgers considers his greatest is leading both fund raising and actual renovations totaling $3 million for Rock Eagle in the 1980's. He is pleased with the outcome of his efforts that brought extension agents into the University of Georgia Public Service Faculty Promotion System. Dr. Rodgers partnered with Diane Davies in establishing the 4-H Environmental Education Program which is the largest residential environment education program in existence. He led the Rural Economic Development Study done by UGA, Georgia Tech, Georgia Southern and Georgia State Universities which was funded by GDITT. Also, Dr. Rodgers found it rewarding to serve as the North American coordinator for the Partners of the Americas "Farmer to Farmer" Program which assists indigent farmers in Pernambuco, Brazil.
During Dr. Rodgers' college career, he made friends that have lasted a lifetime and many of those friends are now leaders in the state. His advice to students in the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics is, "Take advantage of every leadership opportunity, make as many friends as possible, have an international experience and learn another language."
Dr. Rodgers is an Athens resident, and in his leisure time enjoys fishing, canoeing and biking. He serves on the board of the 4-H Foundation and is chair of the Athens Area Habitat for Humanity fund-raising committee. In addition, Dr. Rodgers is a youth Sunday School teacher at Milledge Avenue Baptist Church. He especially enjoys his role as "Grandpa." and states, "I have four little darlings that keep me going like crazy!"
This article draws from an article which first appeared in FACS Magazine.
Photo provided by Nancy Evelyn, Georgia Center for Continuing Education.
Stephen M. Yearta graduated from the University of Georgia, Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics with a B.S. in Agricultural Economics in 1982. While he was a student, Stephen was active in the Agricultural Economics Club and Kappa Sigma Fraternity. He was on the Dean's List during his senior year of college.
Stephen is employed by Ag Georgia Farm Credit, ACA as a Commercial Loan Officer. His job involves the analyzing of large ($2 million plus) credits and making recommendations regarding purchasing loans made by other lenders. Stephen views one of his greatest accomplishments since graduation as having progressed in his company from a trainee to his present position. In addition to his job, Stephen owns a commercial hay business which concentrates on selling square bales to horse owners. Also, he has been a volunteer worker at the Sunbelt Ag Expo for the past sixteen years.
As a student, Stephen had a well rounded education in agricultural economics and made contacts with some of the people that he does business with today. He advises students of the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics, "Take full advantage of the department's and the total university's educational opportunities."
Stephen lives in Moultrie, Georgia and enjoys riding horses and following the "Georgia Bull Dogs" football team. He is the clerk of the vestry at St. John's Episcopal Church in Moultrie.
