American Pecan Promotion Board (APPB) members appointed by USDA

Ten producers and seven importers make up the 17-member board. The 10 producer members will be allocated between three regions within the United States as follows: three from the Eastern Region; three from the Central Region; and four from the Western Region.

Initial board members’ terms of office are staggered two, three, and four years with all subsequent terms lasting three years. Each member’s term began August 29, 2021.

Newly appointed members are:

• Producers
  • Deborah E. Ralls, Sahuarita, Arizona
  • John Lee Turner, Jr., Texarkana, Arkansas
  • Trent Mason, Kathleen, Georgia
  • Paul A. Quiros, Hawkinsville, Georgia
  • Molly Willis, Albany, Georgia
  • Mike Adams, Caldwell, Texas
  • Jaye Massey, Uvalde, Texas
  • Phillip Arnold, Fairacres, New Mexico
  • Kortney Chase, Artesia, New Mexico
  • Dave Salopek, Las Cruces, New Mexico

• Importers
  • Sally Arn, Panama City Beach, Florida
  • Mark L. Hamilton, Coleman, Oklahoma
  • Brittan Bagley, San Saba, Texas
  • Romulo Garza, San Antonio, Texas
  • Dennis Hardman, San Saba, Texas
  • Guillermo Humphrey, San Antonio, Texas
  • John A. Hutchens, Corsicana, Texas

The APPB has the authority to collect assessments on foreign grown pecans imported into the United States. The program was created and is administered under the authority of the Commodity Promotion, Research, and Information Act of 1996. It became effective Feb. 12, 2021, when the Pecan Promotion, Research, and Information Order was implemented. Assessments begin October 1, 2021.

This new program will assess both domestic and imported pecans to increase monies available for pecan research and promotion efforts. Under the R&P program, the FMO assessment rate for pecans grown in the U.S. would not increase, and the only new funds would come from imported pecans. Those already paying an assessment to the American Pecan Council will not be required to pay any more assessment. More information about the board is available on the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) APPB webpage.

AMS policy is that the diversity of the board should reflect the diversity of its industries in terms of the experience of members, methods of production and distribution, marketing strategies, and other distinguishing factors that will bring different perspectives and ideas to the table.  When submitting nominations, the industry must consider the diversity of the population served and the knowledge, skills, and abilities of the members to serve a diverse population.

Since 1966, Congress has authorized industry-funded research and promotion boards to provide a framework for agricultural industries to pool resources and combine efforts to develop new markets, strengthen existing markets and conduct important research and promotion activities. AMS provides oversight to 22 boards. The oversight ensures fiscal accountability and program integrity and is paid for by industry assessments.