VNLA Newsletter Spring 2018

News - Virginia Agribusiness Council Changes [A HUGH THANKS to Katie Frazier for all you support and work with the VNLA and congratulations and best wishes as you move forward in your life and career!]

News - VAC: New Executive Director Announced

As Chairman of the Council's Board of Directors, I am ex- cited to share with our membership that Kyle Shreve has been selected as the next Executive Director of the Vir- ginia Agribusiness Council. Kyle comes to the Council from the Virginia Association of Health Plans, where he has been the Director of Policy since December 2015. Prior to that, he served as the Director of Government Affairs for the Virginia Retail Merchants As- sociation. For the first six years of his career, Kyle worked for the International Dairy Foods Association as their Man- ager of Legislative Affairs. While there, he worked exten- sively on agriculture policy and gained considerable knowledge of our industry. He is a familiar face at the General Assembly and has estab- lished many valuable relationships with both fellow lobby- ists and legislators during his career. In addition to his strong policy background, Kyle brings association manage- ment, event planning and membership recruitment experi- ence to the Council. His association experience, along with his demonstrated strength in government policy and legisla- tive affairs, make him a tremendous asset for Virginia Ag- ribusiness Council. Kyle is a native of Pennsylvania and received his B.A. in Political Science and History from Pennsylvania State Uni- versity. He later received his M.A. in Professional Studies in Political Management from George Washington Univer- sity. Kyle relocated to Virginia in 2008. He and his wife Christie live in Midlothian with their two-year-old son, Bennett. They have planted roots in the Richmond area and have a strong desire to remain here for years to come. Kyle is ready to hit the ground running upon his start May 29 and looks forward to attending as many industry meet- ings and events across the Commonwealth as possible to meet our members. We look forward with anticipation to his leadership as the Council enters a new phase in its growth as a resource for both its members and the legislative body in Richmond. Please join me in welcoming Kyle to the Agribusiness Council family! Sincerely, Kern L. Houff, Chair, Virginia Agribusiness Council Board of Directors 5/18/18

As you may already know, my last day with the Virginia Agribusiness Council was May 11th. Beginning May 21, I will be joining Farm Credit of the Virginias as their Director of External Affairs. Should you wish to reach me there, my email address will be kfrazier@fcvirginias.com. I have truly enjoyed working with each of you during my time with the Council over the past 14 years and have val- ued all of the work we have collectively done to ensure ag- riculture and forestry continue to flourish in Virginia. I look forward to working with many of you in my new role, and to supporting the Virginia Agribusiness Council as it con- tinues in its valuable mission. After May 11th, the Council’s points of contact will be Di- rector of Member Services & Events, Shepherd Cronemeyer (shepherd@va-agribusiness.org) or Katie Hellebush with Hellebush Consulting, who is contracting with the Council during this transition (governmentaffairs@va-agribusi- ness.org). Wishing you all my very best! Katie Frazier, Past President, Virginia Agribusiness Council VNLA Field Day Speaker Larry Weaner - LARRY WEANER is nationally recognized for combining expertise in horticulture, landscape design, and ecological res- toration. He founded the firm Larry Weaner Landscape Asso- ciates in 1982. His work through the eastern U.S. has been featured in regional and national publications, including The New York Times. Larry is an active guest lecturer for horti- cultural and environmental organizations throughout the U.S., and in 1990 he developed New Directions in the American Landscape (NDAL), a conference series with a national follow- ing. His book Garden Revolution: How Our Landscapes Can Be a Source of Environmental Change (Timber Press, 2016) re- ceived an American Horticultural Society Book Award. http://lweanerassociates.com/

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April/May/June 2018 VNLA Newsletter April / May / June 2018 V LA Newsl tter