2012 Award Recipients
TEXAS A&M AGRILIFE EXTENSION SERVICE
SUPERIOR SERVICE AWARDS
The Superior Service Awards recognize Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service faculty
and staff members who provide outstanding performance in Extension education or
other outstanding service to the organization and to Texans.
COUNTY EXTENSION AGENTS
David Graf, CEA–Agriculture and Natural Resources, Swisher County
David Groschke, CEA–Agriculture and Natural Resources, Limestone County
Sherri Halsell, CEA–Family and Consumer Sciences, Clay County
Johanna Hicks, CEA–Family and Consumer Sciences, Hopkins County
Philip Shackelford, CEA–Agriculture and Natural Resources, Austin County
Sonja Stueart-Davis, CEA–4-H and Youth Development, Harris County
EXTENSION SPECIALISTS
Stephen Green, Associate Professor and Extension Child Development Specialist
John Jacob, Professor and Extension Specialist–Recreation, Park and Tourism Sciences and Texas Sea Grant
EXTENSION PROGRAM SPECIALIST
Alice Kirk, Extension Program Specialist–Child Health and Wellness
OFFICE SUPPORT STAFF
Ronda Fisher, Senior Office Assistant, District 1
Regina Linder, Office Manager, District 4 (retired)
Amber Moore, 4-H Program Coordinator, Robertson County
Elida Urtado, Office Manager, Travis County
AGENCY LEADERSHIP
Monty Dozier, Regional Program Director (South)–Agriculture and Natural Resources
TEAMS
Cotton Root Rot Team
Archie Abrameit, Extension Specialist and Manager, Stiles Farm Foundation
David R. Drake, Assistant Professor and Extension Agronomist
Dan Fromme, Assistant Professor and Extension Agronomist
Tom Isakeit, Professor and Extension Plant Pathologist
Gaylon Morgan, Professor and State Extension Cotton Agronomist
Dale Mott, Extension Program Specialist–Cotton
Chris Sansone, Professor, Associate Department Head and Extension Specialist–
Entomology (retired)
County Extension Agents–Agriculture and Natural Resources
Ryan Collett, Hill County
R. Norman Fryar, Pecos County
Jaime Iglesias-Olivas, El Paso County
Rebel Royall, Glasscock County
Jeffrey Stapper, Nueces County
Steve Sturtz, Tom Green County
Extension Agents–Integrated Pest Management
Marty Jungman, Hill County
Richard Minzenmayer, Runnels County
Warren Multer, Glasscock County
Salvador Vitanza, El Paso County
East Region Dinner Tonight Development Team
Susan Ballabina, Regional Program Director–Family and Consumer Sciences
Dana Tarter, County Extension Director, Tarrant County
Jennifer Leone, Office Associate, Research and Extension Center at Dallas
Angel Fattorini, Video Project Coordinator, AgriLife Communications
County Extension Agents–Family and Consumer Sciences
Carrie Brazeal, Collin County
Julie Gardner, Coryell County
Halee Mitchell, Eastland County
Dee Lee Smith, Gregg County
Donna White, Erath County
Establishing and Implementing Trade Adjustment Assistance for
Trade Adjustment Assistance Team for Shrimp Fishermen
Ginger Easton Smith, CEA–Agriculture and Natural Resources, Aransas County
Michael Haby, Professor and Extension Seafood Economist (retired)
Gary Graham, Senior Research Associate, Texas Sea Grant
Russell Miget, Senior Research Associate, Texas Sea Grant
Granvil Treece, Aquaculture Specialist, Texas Sea Grant
County Extension Agents–Coastal and Marine Resources, Texas Sea Grant/Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
Rhonda Cummins, Calhoun County
Terrie Looney, Chambers and Jefferson Counties
Julie Massey, Galveston County
John O’Connell, Matagorda and Brazoria Counties
Edward “Tony” Reisinger, Cameron County
HEB Produce Safety Training Team
Juan Anciso, Associate Professor and Extension Horticulturist
Mark Matocha, Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist–Agricultural and Environmental Safety
Don Renchie, Program Leader, Associate Professor and Extension Specialist– Agricultural and Environmental Safety
Frank Dainello, Consulting Horticulturist
National Earth-Kind® Rose Team
Steve George, Professor and Extension Horticulturist
Hurley Miller, District Extension Administrator, District 4
Roy Stanford, CEA–Agriculture and Natural Resources, Orange County
County Extension Agents–Horticulture
Steve Chaney, Tarrant County
Greg Church, Collin County
Kimberly Conway, Cherokee County
Allison Watkins, Tom Green County
Additional team members
Derald Harp, Texas A&M University–Commerce
Nick Howell, Iowa State University
Wayne Mackay, University of Florida
Allen Owings, Professor and Extension Horticulturist, LSU AgCenter
John Sloan, National Great Rivers Research and Education Center
David Zlesak, University of Wisconsin–River Falls
Kathryn Zuzek, Assistant Professor–Horticulture, University of Minnesota Extension
Wounded Warrior Project Team
Extension Military Program
Rachel Brauner, Extension Associate
Vernon Davis, Program Coordinator
Donna Martin, Program Director
Lynne Piippo, Program Assistant
Additional team members
Mary Brintnall-Peterson, Consultant, University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee
Jessica Jacobs, Researcher, University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee
Rhonda Montgomery, Professor, University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee
UNIT
Texas A&M AgriLife Communications–Media Relations
DISTINGUISHED CAREER
Galen Chandler, Regional Program Director (North)–Agriculture and Natural Resources
Edward Schneider, CEA–Agriculture and Natural Resources, Robertson County
Extension in the City Award
Travis County Commissioners Court
Judge Samuel T. Biscoe and Commissioners Ron Davis, Sarah Eckhardt, Karen Huber,
and Margaret Gómez
Urban programs are a key component in the impact that Extension education makes
on the well-being and prosperity of Texas residents. This award honors elected
leaders whose support of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service has significantly
contributed to the success of our growing, vibrant outreach to urban audiences.
On June 29, 2010, a torrential rainstorm collapsed the roof of the Travis County AgriLife
Extension office, requiring a complete relocation until the building was remodeled. In the
midst of this catastrophe, the Travis County Judge and Commissioners came to the rescue,
coordinating temporary office space, storage, computers, and furniture. County personnel
managed building inspections and inventory reports, handled mold remediation, and helped
with the remodeling process. The court’s assistance was invaluable. And the Extension
staff was enormously grateful, but certainly not surprised. During the long history of this
partnership, the court’s commitment to Extension education for Travis County residents has
been demonstrated time and time again. Even when facing tight budgets, the court makes the
Extension presence a clear priority, providing more than $1 million annually to supplement
Extension salaries, benefits, and operating expenses. Going further, the court also supports
specific programs, including youth-oriented efforts such as 4-H CAPITAL—an after-school
endeavor offering innovative ways for inner-city children to explore science, engineering, and
technology. Through its steadfast financial assistance, the court enables AgriLife Extension to
reach more than 2,200 students at 30 area schools each year through this program alone.
Partnership Awards
Established in 1999, the Extension Partnership Award recognizes vital alliances with
agencies, organizations, and others beyond The Texas A&M University System. We
honor those partners whose dedicated collaboration and support have significantly
enhanced the outreach and impact of AgriLife Extension programs for the people of
Texas.
College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources and
College of Human Sciences, Texas Tech University
Texas Tech University is a long-standing, proven friend of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
Service. In particular, the College of Human Sciences and the College of Agricultural Sciences
and Natural Resources have often joined Extension, providing invaluable resources and even
joint faculty appointments to educate youth, families, agricultural producers, and other High
Plains residents. From hosting training sessions for Extension agents to providing facilities for
4-H events to enabling Extension interns to receive classroom credit, the contributions of the
College of Human Sciences have been irreplaceable. Likewise, College of Ag faculty and staff
step up when AgriLife Extension needs conference speakers, facilities, programming support,
and expertise in countless areas. Through this partnership, AgriLife Extension has served
many more Texans than it could have ever done alone. Extension educators have also greatly
benefited from a joint Texas Tech–Texas A&M online academic venture, which has enabled
them to earn doctoral degrees in agricultural education. The historically strong relationship
between Texas Tech and AgriLife Extension was evident last summer when the university
hosted nearly 4,000 people for the week-long Texas 4-H Roundup—a resounding success in
every way.
Texas Cotton Producers, Inc.
When AgriLife Extension agents strive to reach agricultural producers with important
information, they know their effectiveness depends in great part on strong alliances,
meaningful collaborations, and shared communications. With Texas Cotton Producers,
Inc., they are confident their efforts will achieve success. Whether promoting new research,
production practices, or legislative initiatives, TCP strives to ensure the vitality of agriculture.
Case in point was the design and implementation of both the statewide Integrated Pest
Management Program and the Texas Boll Weevil Eradication Program. Representing all nine
of the state’s certified cotton-grower organizations, TCP’s involvement in these programs
was—and continues to be—critical, aiding cotton producers and, in turn, the Texas economy.
TCP oversees more than $1.5 million annually from the Cotton Incorporated Texas State
Support Committee for research and education projects. These funds support the efforts
of Extension county agents, IPM agents, and specialists; they also support the Extension
Premier Cotton Education Program, the Master Marketer program, and the Texas Agricultural
Lifetime Leadership program. Young people across the state benefit from the support Texas
Cotton Producers, Inc., gives for 4-H projects, agricultural education activities, and college
scholarships to Texas A&M and Texas Tech universities.