2007 Rice Leadership Development Class Announced

LAS VEGAS, December 4, 2006 — Rice Foundation Chairman Dr. Ernest E. Girouard announced the selection of the 2007 Rice Leadership Development class today here at the USA Rice Outlook Conference.

The new rice producer class members are: Trent Dabbs from Stuttgart, AR; John Fred Denison from Iowa, LA; Eric Leonard from Corning, AR; Jessica Lundberg from Chico, CA; and Eric Unkel from Kinder, LA. The new industry-related class members are: Shelley Smith from Boyle, MS and Dr. Jennifer Wells from Memphis, TN.

“A key to a successful industry is the strength of its leaders,” Girouard said. “We have formed this leadership program for emerging leaders to help 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 years of age at the time of application and derive their primary livelihoods 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,” Girouard said.

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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Contacts: Chuck Wilson, (870) 673-7541, cwilson@usarice.com and Sarah Castleberry, (703) 236-1458, scastleberry@usarice.com

Photo and caption available at the USA Rice image library.

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.