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ACE Update - July 2018


Dear ACE Colleagues,

The countdown to annual conference is on. In a little more than a week, we’ll be in the midst of renewing friendships, meeting new people, and enhancing our skills and knowledge. If you haven’t registered, not to worry! You can still register onsite.
In the coming week, I’ll also be handing over the ACE gavel to president-elect Elizabeth Gregory North. Your association will be in excellent hands. Elizabeth has been a mentor and advisor throughout my time on the board of directors and I will be forever grateful for her leadership.

I want to use this final column to thank some other special people.

First, Learning Community (LC) Leaders. You are the heartbeat of our organization. You are in touch with what members want regarding professional development, and you deliver that through webinars, conference calls and input into annual conference proposals. Thank you to:
•    Academic and Research LC: Kelsey Hall, Courtney Gibson, Lisa Lundy, Jessica Holt, and Laura Fischer
•    Diversity LC: Leilana McKindra, Blair Hess, and Maurice Perkins
•    Electronic Media and Photography LC: Scott Swanson, Susan Hutton, and David Keto
•    Instructional Design and IT LC: Terrence Wolfork and Alan Dennis.
•    Leadership and Management LC: Beth Steuver, LaRachelle Smith, and Sarah Lupis.
•    Marketing LC: Melissa McGinnis.
•    Media Relations and Writing LC: Sean Corp, James Thigpen, and Beverly James.
•    Publishing and Graphic Design LC: Melea Reicks-Licht.
•    Social Media LC: Suzanne Street, Stacey Stearns, and Lindsey Davidson.
The Learning Communities will be seeking new leadership. Attend one of their meetings, and see how you can become more involved.

Thank you to the planning committee for the 2018 conference. This team navigated the challenges inherent when taking a new approach. They successfully collaborated with the Ag Media Summit folks and have planned a great experience for us all: Martha Filipic and Lori Greiner, co-chairs; Brian Meyer, Ed Adcock, Maggie Lawrence, Susan McGinley, Robert Casler, Donna Sheffield, ChaNae Bradley, Kelsey Hall, Victor Villegas, and Beth Forbes.

Thank you to the search committee that helped research, vet and interview for a new management firm. This group spent considerable time making sure we found the very best fit for the future of ACE: LaRachelle Smith, Doug Edlund, Becky Koch, Elizabeth Gregory North, Mary Wirth, and Beth Forbes.

Thank you to the ACE Board of Directors, including outgoing and incoming officers and directors. These are the people responsible for keeping ACE humming. They set policy and direction for the organization and facilitate professional development, research, marketing, member relations, retiree relations, and learning communities. They manage the Critique and Awards program and play a big role in annual conferences.

•    Elizabeth Gregory North, President-elect, Mississippi State University
•    Doug Edlund, Vice President, University of Tennessee
•    Jennifer Alexander, Vice President-elect, Oregon State University
•    Steve Miller, Past President, University of Wyoming
•    Janet Rodekohr, Retirees Director
•    Linda Benedict, Retirees Director-elect, Louisiana State University Ag Center
•    Mary Wirth, Learning Community Director, Pennsylvania State University
•    Lori Greiner, Learning Community Director-elect, Virginia Cooperative Extension
•    Victor Villegas, Professional Development Director, Oregon State University
•    Craig Woods, Professional Development Director-elect, Oklahoma State University
•    Lauri Baker, Research Director, Kansas State University
•    Lulu Rodriguez, Research Director-elect, University of Illinois
•    Dennis Thomas, Marketing Director, Kentucky State University
•    Matt Browning, Marketing Director-elect, West Virginia State University
•    Beth Forbes, Membership Director, Purdue University
•    Tobie Blanchard, Membership Director-elect, Louisiana State University Ag Center
•    Becky Koch, Treasurer, North Dakota State University
•    Donna Sheffield, Development Officer, Kansas State University
Finally, a huge thank you to Holly Young, who has served ACE in so many ways. She began as Executive Director in 2011, served as treasurer from 2009-2011 and was ACE President from 2002-2003. She has served on the Development Fund committee for professional development grants since its inception, and served as its chair for about 15 years. She also served as Northeast Director and received the Pioneer Award. There aren’t many who have given to ACE as willingly and effectively as Holly. Thank you!

As you can see, there are a lot of people behind ACE. I invite you to get involved. Drop me a note, and we can talk about how to do that. And thanks for being a member!

Sincerely,
Suzanne Steel, President

Still have questions about attending the Ag Media Summit?

There are answers in FAQs on the ACE web site. There you’ll find information about shuttles, the resort, what to pack and much more. We will also have ACE members at the registration desk and look for the ACE booth in the Info Expo Center. If you still have questions, you can contact conference co-chairs Martha Filipic or Lori Greiner.

There’s an app for that

Search for “Ag Media Summit” in the App Store or Google Play to download this year’s conference app. It includes information on the schedule, speakers, exhibitors and more.

Check out who’s coming

Nearly 800 are on the registration list as of July 12. See who has signed up here.

Party like it’s 1999!

The first Ag Publications Summit was held in 1999, and the theme of this year’s opening reception is “Party Like It’s 1999.” You can dress like your favorite AMS themed party from the past or from your favorite decade. There will be lots of food and libations along with entertainment including members of ACE’s own X-Tension Chords. Look for the Famous Welcome Party from 7 to 10 p.m. Sunday.

Donate to the Silent Auction

As you prepare for this year's conference, please remember to support the ACE silent auction. This year it will be coordinated by the Ag Relations Council, with ACE and the Ag Media Summit as equal partners. Proceeds will fund student scholarships, and professional development opportunities for ACE members. Over the years, ACE members have contributed original artwork and hand-crafted items, food baskets, jewelry and local or regional items. You can also make a cash donation and let us shop for you! All donations will be up for bid during the annual conference. For details, contact Donna Sheffield, ACE development officer.

Service Project with a Literary Twist

The Ag Media Summit is teaming with Literacy Connects, a nonprofit that promotes literacy in Arizona, to raise funds for its programs. It seeks books as well as monetary donations. If you have books or funds to donate, please bring them to the conference and they will be distributed to Literacy Connects. Some ideas for books are available here. Checks also can be made payable to, and mailed directly to: Literacy Connects, 200 E. Yavapai Road, Tucson, AZ  85705.

ACE Anniversaries

Ten ACE retirees will be honored at the conference in Scottsdale as they celebrate significant years of membership in ACE. President Suzanne Steele will present certificates during the ACE business meeting Tuesday, August. 6.

And if you listen real hard, you can hear a brass band tuning up and heading to Scottsdale. We have an amazing milestone to acknowledge during the ACE conference. Thanks to his question, we discovered Bob Kern has been a member of ACE for 65 years! Congratulations, Bob! You deserve a brass band, a bottle of bubbly and all the trimmings. Thank you for your dedication to ACE and for all the people you brought to ACE and the agricultural communications field.

25 Years: Robert Casler
30 Years: Elaine Edwards and Martha Filipic
35 Years: Dan Rahn and Ellen Maurer
45 Years: Garvin Quinn, Anita Povich and Gene Hettel
50 Years: Jack Sperbeck
65 Years: Bob Kern

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