2006 Rice Leadership Development Class Announced

AUSTIN, TX, December 5, 2005 — Rice Foundation Chairman Gary Sebree announced the selection of the 2006 Rice Leadership Development class today here at the USA Rice Outlook Conference.

The new rice producer class members are: Jeremy Baltz from Arkansas, Ross Herbert from Louisiana, Henry Kalfsbeek from California, Bryan Leonards from Louisiana, and Bubba Simmons from Mississippi. The new industry-related class members are Andy Kendig from Missouri and Brian King from Arkansas.

“A key to a successful industry is the strength of its leaders,” Rice Foundation Chairman Gary Sebree said. “We have formed this leadership program for emerging leaders to provide them the knowledge and skills needed to work on behalf of the rice industry.”

The Rice Leadership Development class is comprised of five rice producers and two industry-related professionals. A committee of agribusiness leaders evaluates the applications, reviews letters of recommendation and conducts personal interviews with the finalists. Candidates must be 25-45 at the time of application and derive their primary livelihood from some aspect of the rice industry.

“Many of the alumni are currently serving in key positions on various industry boards and committees. Three of the four member organizations of USA Rice are chaired by program alumni: John King chairs the USA Rice Council, Paul Combs chairs the USA Rice Producers Group and Brain King chairs the USA Rice Merchants’ Association,” said Sebree.

The Rice Leadership Development Program gives young men and women a comprehensive understanding of the U.S. rice industry, with an emphasis on personal development and communications training. During a two-year period, class members attend four one-week sessions that are designed to strengthen their leadership skills.

John Deere Company and Syngenta Crop Protection, Inc sponsors the Rice Leadership Development Program through a grant to The Rice Foundation. The USA Rice Federation administers the program.

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Photo caption: L-R: Sponsors, Bob Malcom, John Deere; and Doug Anderson, Syngenta; with the 2006 leadership class: Bryan Leonards, Bubba Simmons, Brian King, Ross Herbert, Henry Kalfsbeek, Jeremy Baltz and Andy Kendig. Rice Foundation Chairman Gary Sebree stands at right.

Contact: Chuck Wilson, (870) 673-7541, cwilson@usarice.com

USA Rice Federation is the national advocate for all segments of the rice industry, conducting activities to influence government programs, developing and initiating programs to increase worldwide demand for U.S. rice, and providing other services to increase profitability for all industry segments.