April 2003
Brad Merry
Brad Merry is a 2001 graduate of the UGA Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics with a B.S. in Agribusiness. He works for Highland Hardwood Sales, Inc. in Augusta, buying and selling domestic hardwoods in the Appalachian, Southern and Northern regions. Brad's greatest accomplishment since graduation is having found a successful career in the hardwood lumber industry that he "truly loves and enjoys everyday."
While in college, Brad was a member of the National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA) which he considers a "very valuable experience." He surrounded himself with good friends, teachers and advisors. Brad rarely missed class because he told himself that he "could do ANYTHING for one hour."
Brad has some advice for students in the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics: "Enjoy your time in college while you are there. It is a wonderful time that you get to enjoy for only a short time. And YES the ‘Real World' is very REAL!!"
In his leisure time, Brad enjoys golf and hunting.
Jennifer A. Pedrotty is employed by John Deere Credit as the Division Manager of Ag Advertising and Communications. She plans, designs, coordinates, and implements all advertising, promotional, and marketing communications campaigns necessary for the successful marketing of new or existing finance products within the Ag Installment and Leasing Division of John Deere Credit. In addition, she analyzes customer requirements in order to position John Deere Credit products properly within the marketplace.
Jennifer has been "happily" employed by John Deere since her college graduation in December of 1997. She has held several different positions with growing responsibilities in both the ag equipment division and the credit lending division. These experiences would not have been possible had she not taken the time to explore internship possibilities and been willing to relocate to different areas of the U.S. Jennifer states, "... relocation is becoming an important part of one's career as many organizations have grown nationally or even internationally. As promotions arise, often they require a move providing the opportunity for more challenging work responsibilities and the chance to see and experience different regions of the US and even the world."
Jennifer graduated from the UGA Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics with a B.S.A. in Environmental Economics and Management in 1997. She is currently pursuing an M.B.A. with an emphasis on marketing and brand management from Capella University in Minneapolis and expects to complete her degree in March, 2004. Her current GPA is 4.0.
While at UGA, Jennifer was on the President's List, the Dean's List, a member of Alpha Zeta Agricultural Honor Fraternity and a member of the Georgia Agribusiness Council. She was also involved in intramural and club sports teams.
Jennifer made choices while in college which have proven beneficial in her professional career. Even though her major was in Environmental Economics and Management, she made sure that she was exposed, as much as possible, to some of the Agricultural and Applied Economics and Business School electives available towards her degree completion. This provided her with an "edge" in having a much more rounded educational background suited for today's business environment. She took electives, such as accounting, cost accounting, and real estate that she has been able to apply, not only to her major course work, but into real life work situations. Jennifer advises current students in the department that "internships are a great way to get exposure to the culture of an organization, to gain practical business experience, and provide the ‘doorway' into possible employment opportunities."
Her greatest accomplishments since graduation from UGA are having a great job with John Deere and making a difference with today's agricultural producers; and earning her Master's Degree while juggling full-time work and job-related travel. In addition, she has a "fantastic and supportive boyfriend who has ‘long-term' potential."
In her leisure time, Jennifer enjoys travel, spending time with friends and family, working out, taking arts and crafts classes, and church.
Derelyn ("Dee") Taylor Smith
While in college, Derelyn ("Dee") Taylor Smith worked with the Rural Economic and Community Development Agency. This employment satisfied the internship requirement in the agribusiness plan of study and also established her as a GS level federal employee. When a position at the Southeastern Power Administration located in Dee's hometown of Elberton, GA was advertised to local commuting government employees "only," Dee's employee status entitled her to apply.
Dee is now employed by the Southeastern Power Administration (SEPA) which is a power marketing agency of the U. S. Department of Energy with the responsibility of marketing hydroelectric power from 23 U. S. Army Corps of Engineer owned and operated projects located in the southeastern United States. SEPA's operations are directed by the Provisions of the Flood Control Act of 1944. Preference power, the sale of power to public bodies and cooperatives in the region, must be marketed so as to promote widespread use and must be sold at lowest possible rates consistent with sound business practices while meeting congressionally mandated project repayment criteria. SEPA operates a North American Electric Reliability Council (NERC) recognized Control Area. NERC policy requires all system operating personnel to be certified system operators. In 1998, Dee became a certified system operator by passing a comprehensive test based on NERC operating policies, industry standards and engineering practices. In 2003, Dee was re-certified for another five years by passing an updated test.
Dee's duties with SEPA include the monitoring and reporting of control area operating performance standards as defined by NERC performance criteria. Generation performance and energy inadvertent accounting are included along with verification and reconciliation with several other interconnected electric utilities. She is also responsible for energy declarations, energy accounting and reconciliation with various transmission system operators who receive delivery from power generated at SEPA's 23 generating projects and then deliver to ultimate customers. In addition, she deals with energy classification for billing purposes. More than 250 customers throughout the Southeast ultimately receive the benefits of lower cost federal power. An important function of the position is to ensure that correct information from other energy sources is included in the calculations of billing so that the customers are billed correctly, equitably, and timely. In 1998 and 2000, Dee received outstanding performance ratings from SEPA. In addition, she received Special Acts or Service Monetary Awards in 1996, 1999, 2000 and 2002.
Dee graduated from the UGA Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics with a B.S. in Agribusiness in 1995. While in college, Dee was on the Dean's List, in the Gamma Sigma Delta Agriculture Honor Society, and was the recipient of the Farm Credit Bank Scholarship. She was a student member of the Georgia Agribusiness Council, an Ag Hill Council representative, and an agricultural ambassador for the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. In addition, Dee worked for Athens Tutorial providing assistance through tutoring at-risk students.
Since graduation from UGA, Dee has maintained a balance of a successful career with a great family which includes her husband, Larry and their 2 ½ year old daughter, Emma Kate.
Kristin McWhorter is the Executive Director of the National Poultry and Food Distributors Association (NPFDA), a non-profit trade association based in Gainesville, Georgia which has been in existence since 1967. It is comprised of poultry and food suppliers, retailers, processors, transportation companies and marketers with a membership of 235 industry firms from throughout the country. The association's goal is to provide their members with services to help increase profits and provide a competitive advantage through networking opportunities for exchanging ideas and discussing challenges and opportunities in the poultry and food industries. Kristin oversees all phases of management and administration and handles the organization's membership development, accounting, marketing and strategic development. Kristin states, "Taking over NPFDA when times were tough, and turning the association into a strong and vital organization with the help of dedicated employees and board members may have been my greatest accomplishment since college graduation."
Kristin graduated from UGA with a B.S.A. in Agricultural Economics in 1984. While she is now busy promoting the poultry and food industries, she has found time for continuing education. Currently taking course work from Andrew Jackson University, Kristin is also enrolled at North Georgia College in pursuit of a Masters in Public Administration degree.
Kristin says she has been busy all her life. She personally financed one hundred percent of her education at the University of Georgia. As a result, she developed a drive to succeed and never takes anything for granted. While attending the University of Georgia, full time employment limited Kristin's extra curricular activities, but she was a member of the National Agriculture Marketing Association. She remarks, "I wish I had been more involved in campus organizations and clubs but time was precious. However, I did manage to be on the Dean's List multiple times and was a contributor to the National Agriculture Law Paper Competition.
Kristin's advice for students in the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics, "Don't wait to graduate to network in your field. Go to conventions, meet people, ask questions, develop relationships which will give you career connections after graduation." She has discovered success comes easier if one finds a job she or he really loves. "Work because you want to not because you must."Kristin's home is on a lake and her relaxing moments are spent boating and training and playing with her dogs. "I also enjoy gardening because you can truly see the results of your work."
Garland Thompson
Garland Thompson has distinguished himself through selfless, untiring public service in the areas of natural resource conservation, community and economic development, and banking and finance. He has dedicated much of his personal time to the promotion of agribusiness and economic development throughout the state of Georgia. Garland received a B.S.A. in Agricultural Economics in 1963. After graduation, he worked with the USDA Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service for twelve years. He then accepted a position at the Trust Company Bank of Coffee County where his duties included agribusiness, business development, and governmental relations. Garland has since retired from the banking industry but continues to volunteer his time on numerous committees and organizations related to agriculture, agribusiness, and community service.
For over 25 years, Garland has served the Altamaha District as a soil and water supervisor. He helps determine priorities for giving technical assistance from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service to farmers and other landowners. He was named to the State Soil and Water Conservation Committee in 1977, and he currently serves as chairman of that committee, seeking reform in the policies that govern farmers, as well as urban developers and promoting soil and water conservation. In 1982, Garland was appointed chair of the National Agricultural Research and Extension Users Advisory Board where he assisted the USDA and cooperating institutions in carrying out their responsibilities of research and extension.
As president of the Douglas-Coffee County Industrial Authority, Garland was instrumental in industrial development and the creation of thousands of jobs. He was recognized by Governor George Busbee and the Georgia Industrial Developers Association with the 1981 Volunteer of the Year Award. In 1982, Garland was named Man of the Year in Service to Georgia Agriculture by the Progressive Farmer. Then editor, John Liedner, said of Garland, "He's been a solid supporter of Georgia agriculture all his life. For funding agricultural research and extension work and directing the course of such work, he has had more influence than any other Georgian."
Garland has served on the Council for Agricultural Research, Extension and Teaching (CARET), a national organization of universities, and has been a member and chairman of the Georgia Bankers Association Agriculture Committee. Garland served as president of the Georgia Agribusiness Council Board of Directors. In addition, he has been president of the Georgia Extension Service Lay Leaders and president of the Vo-Ag Advisory Council. Garland is currently serving as the director of the Sunbelt Exposition Board, senior consultant of the U.S. 441 Economic Development Council, director of the Sun Trust Bank of Douglas, and vice president of the Coffee County Kidney Foundation.
In addition to Garland's professional life and his many volunteer activities, he and his wife, Anita, enjoy a rich family life with their three sons, one daughter, and five grandchildren. To honor Garland for all he has done for Coffee County through these many years, March 27, 2003 was declared "Thompson Day" throughout Douglas and Coffee County.
Samuel W. Beall
Samuel W. Beall is senior vice president/branch manager of Farmers and Merchants Bank in Dublin, Georgia. His duties include supervision of a staff of thirteen and general branch operations, including lending, both commercial and consumer, business development and collections. In addition to his banking career, Samuel owns Beall's Christmas Trees located in Laurens County. Samuel's uncle started the business in 1983 and Samuel purchased it in 1999. He grows nine varieties of Christmas trees.
Samuel received an Associate degree in Business from Brewton-Parker College and a B.S.A. in Agricultural Economics and Finance from UGA in 1983. He also received a General Banking Degree from the Georgia Bankers Association's University of Georgia School of Banking and is a graduate of Laurens Leadership.
During his college years, Samuel had two professors who impacted his decision to "buckle down and get serious and finish!" These were Dr. Linwood Libby at Brewton-Parker College and Dr. James Wise at the University of Georgia. He advises students at the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics, "Become proficient in your computer skills and your communication skills."
Samuel's greatest accomplishments since graduation from UGA are his marriage to the former Katherine G. Porter (Taffy), his wife of nineteen years, and raising his three children, seventeen year old Hunter, fourteen year old Katie, and nine year old Ben.
Samuel is a member of the Exchange Club of Dublin and was chosen Exchangite of the Year in 1994. Also, he is a member of the First United Church, director of the Dublin-Laurens Chamber of Commerce, and has been a volunteer coach of the Dublin-Laurens County Recreation Authority for twelve years. In his leisure time, Samuel enjoys hunting, fishing, and hiking.
Samuel (Sam) P. Fish is vice president/general manager and partner in Timberland Silvicultural Services, Inc. The company is a forestry services company specializing in turn key reforestation for industrial and private customers throughout the southeastern United States. Sam's work involves extensive travel as he negotiates contracts, oversees four company reforestation crews and secures subcontractors when appropriate. Major customers of the company include such well known names as International Paper, Weyhaeuser, Temple-Inland, Bowater, Georgia Power, Hancock Timber Resources, and Canal Forest Industries. The Society of American Foresters recently distinguished Sam with the status of Certified Forester which is a national recognition program. His career path has followed the timber industry with a previous position as a development supervisor with the James River Timber Corporation and employment as a forestry instructor at the Monroe County Area Vocational Center, among other positions in the industry.
In 1976, Sam received an A.S. in Forestry from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, and he graduated from UGA in 1978 with a B.S. in Forest Resources with concentration in timber management and utilization. In addition, he earned an M.S. from UGA in 1980 in Agricultural Economics with a minor in math and statistics. While in college, Sam received the G. Norman Bishop Award for Outstanding Student in Dendrology and was a member of the Alpha Zeta and Gamma Sigma Delta Honor Societies. He was a member of the Forestry Club, Student Senate, Ag Hill Council and participated in intramural sports. From 1979 - 1981, Sam served as a graduate research assistant in the Department of Agricultural Economics.
Numerous experiences during Sam's college years have been beneficial in his professional career. He worked at various jobs related to his fields of study which offered valuable hands on experience. Economics courses helped him tremendously in decision making for his company, as well as understanding the economic considerations his customers face in their decisions. Extracurricular activities such as Student Senate and Ag Hill Council were great learning experiences. Sam also learned to appreciate computers while in college. He remarks, "my kids don't even know what DOS or Fortran is!"
Sam has some advice for students in the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics, "Finish the race! Set realistic, attainable goals. Do not be afraid to venture ‘outside the box' - we wouldn't be Americans if our forefathers had been afraid to do this. Learn your material and believe it has a purpose beyond an exam. Be involved in service, spiritual, and political organizations. Together we can all make a difference."
Sam's greatest professional accomplishment is becoming a partner in the company he now represents. His greatest personal accomplishment is "seeing his three children grow and develop into outstanding citizens." His oldest son, Brandon, is an Eagle Scout and serves as student manager for the University of Alabama varsity softball program under Coach Patrick Murphy. His daughter, Rosanne, is an accomplished gymnast who finished in the top ten at the Alabama State meet. She plays varsity soccer, is a varsity cheerleader, and hopes to cheer in college. UGA is on Rosanne's list of college choices and she is considering a major in fashion merchandising. Sam's youngest son, Samuel (Sambo), is a Life Scout, hoping to become "Eagle" within a year. He is actively involved in sports - "he plays them all." Sam states, "He is a real bulldog from head to toe. He dressed as UGA in our Christmas parade and when he was seven years old, he petted the Georgia mascot at a UGA versus Ole Miss game.
Sam believes that everyone should make sure there is time for leisure activities; he enjoys spending his with his children. He has learned to enjoy gymnastics through his daughter's participation in the sport. With his children's ages ranging from thirteen to twenty-two, Sam has the opportunity to enjoy a "wide variety" of sports. His most rewarding are those that his children are involved with in which he helps or coaches. Sam adds that his sons' involvement with Boy Scouts of America has been a "great" experience.
J. Clint Hood is president of the United Community Bank in Cumming, Georgia. He is responsible for all facets of managing the bank, including investments, lending, marketing and administration. Prior to his current position, Clint was president and chief executive officer of Century South Bank of Dawsonville. Over the years, he has won various leadership awards and distinctions in his profession.
Clint received an associates degree from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in 1982 and graduated from UGA with a B.S.A. in Agricultural Economics in 1983. While in college, Clint was on the Dean's list, a member of the Agricultural Economics Club and held two jobs. He later attended the Louisiana State University Graduate School of Banking.
During his college years, Clint continuously introduced himself to new people and took a wide variety of courses outside of his major. His advice to students in the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics, "It never hurts to know people and make sure they know you. Always press outside of your comfort zone. Never close any doors of opportunity without first looking inside."
Clint thoroughly enjoys helping people through banking. He states, "It is a very rewarding career as long as you are willing to be creative and think outside the box." He has enjoyed many successes in his career, but he considers his greatest accomplishment to be "creating a wonderful family."
In his time away from work, Clint develops rental properties. He enjoys spending leisure time playing on the lake with his five children, traveling with his wife, taking his children to explore new places, and attending UGA football games.
Greg Tyler is the vice president of international marketing for the USA Poultry & Egg Export Council (USAPEEC). He is responsible for overseeing the marketing and advertising programs for the council's twelve international offices. His duties include the development of USAPEEC's worldwide strategic marketing plan for foreign markets for the U.S. poultry and egg industries and monitoring trade policy issues regarding poultry and egg products. He supervises twenty-five staff members in the international offices and five staff members in the Atlanta home office. Greg also manages a total marketing budget of $5.5 million.
Prior to working with USAPEEC, Greg was the director of international trade for the Georgia Department of Agriculture where he assisted Georgia's firms in exporting food and agricultural products internationally and supervised operations of the International Trade Division's offices in Atlanta and Brussels, Belgium. Before that, he was employed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Foreign Agricultural Service in Washington, D.C. as an international marketing specialist for high value food and agricultural products.
Greg received a B.S. in 1987 and an M.S. in 1990 in Agricultural Economic both from the University of Georgia. While working on his master's degree, Greg obtained valuable experience in international market research working as an intern with the Foreign Agricultural Service. While in college, he was a member of Alpha Zeta and Brass Gavel Honor Societies. He was also a member of the Collegiate 4-H Club, president of the Agricultural Economics Club, a member of Pi Kappa Phi Social Fraternity and Inter-Fraternity Council. In addition, he served for five years as a 4-H camp counselor at Rock Eagle and Tybee Island.
Coupled with the education he received from UGA, Greg's internship with the Foreign Agricultural Service prepared him for a great career in international trade and marketing. Since graduation, he has become a member of the Georgia Agri-Leaders Forum and was appointed to U.S.D.A.'s Agricultural Technical Advisory Committee for Trade in Livestock and Poultry Products. Greg's advice for students in the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics: "Do not just depend on a college degree to get you your first job after graduation. Internships and on-the-job experience during your college years will become very valuable to you and to your first employer."
Among Greg's greatest accomplishments are having a fulfilling career with the poultry and egg industry and his "lovely wife and three beautiful children." His wife, Gena, also graduated from UGA with a masters in education from the College of Family and Consumer Sciences. They live in Hoschton, Georgia with their three children, seven year old Jordan, four year old Caleb, and one year old Sidney. In his leisure time, Greg plays league tennis three times a week, he is active in his church, and "loves spending time with his family."
