Schafer Appoints Members To The New Honey Packers And Importers Board

WASHINGTON, Aug. 2008 -- Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer today announced the appointment of 10 members and 10 alternate members to serve on the new Honey Packers and Importers Board. They will serve staggered terms for the initial board beginning immediately and ending between Dec. 31, 2010 and Dec. 31, 2012.

Handler members are: Buddy Ashurst, El Centro, Calif.; Nancy J. Gamber-Olcott, Lancaster, Pa. and Steven C. Smith, Colton, Calif. Alternates are: Ilene Miller, Salt Lake City, Utah; Jim Phillips, Waxahachie, Texas and Brent Barkmen, Hillsboro, Kan.

Importer members are Bob Coyle, Bellevue, Wash. and Charles V. Kocot, Basking Ridge, N.J. Alternates are: Elise Gagnon, Rosemere, Quebec, Canada and Gregory Olsen, Bloomington, Minn.

The handler/importer member is Hans J. Boedeker, Tustin, Calif. and Nicholas J. Sargeantson, New Canaan, Conn., is the alternate.

The marketing cooperative member is Mark Mammen, Sioux City, Iowa; and Robert Brandi, Los Banos, Calif., is the alternate.

Producer members are: Zac Browning, Idaho Falls, Idaho; Clint Walker III, Rogers, Texas and George Hansen, Colton, Ore. Alternates are: David W. Ellingson, Odessa, Minn.; Mark Brady, Waxahachie, Texas and Bonnie Woodworth, Halliday, N.D.

The members and alternates were nominated by the certified national honey organizations representing first handlers, importers, packer-importers, honey co-ops and producers.

The Honey Packers and Importers Board -- authorized by the Commodity Promotion, Research and Information Act of 1996 -- administers an industry-funded coordinated research, promotion, consumer education and industry information program. In addition, the board conducts a generic program of promotion, research, consumer education and industry information to maintain, develop and expand markets for honey and honey products.

USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service oversees the operations of the Honey Packers and Importers Board.