Feb 28, 2024Nominees sought to lead American Pecan Council board
The American Pecan Council (APC) is seeking nominations for new members to serve on its board of directors.
Seats are currently open for five growers, three shellers, one accumulator and one public member, as well as their respective alternate seats. The four-year terms of office begin Oct. 1. APC is the federal marketing order that works to increase the demand and value of U.S. pecans.
Nominations will be accepted through April 1. Ballots with nominees will then be mailed to eligible voters May 1 and must be received by June 15.
Producers and shellers can request a form by contacting forms@americanpecan.com or visiting AmericanPecan.com.
The Council consists of nine grower members, six sheller members, one accumulator member, and one public member. Each member will have one alternate.
To be eligible to serve, a grower or producer is one who produces a minimum of 50,000 pounds of inshell pecans during a representative period (2020-2023) or who owns a minimum of 30 pecan acres.
Sheller refers to any person who converts inshell pecans to shelled pecans and sells the output in any and all markets in the stream of commerce, within and outside of the production area. The term “sheller” shall only include those who shell more than 1 million pounds of inshell pecans in a fiscal year. Accumulator means a person who compiles inshell pecans from other persons for the purpose of resale or transfer. The public member and alternate public member may not have any financial interest, individually or corporately, or affiliation with persons vested in the pecan industry, according to a news release.
For nomination information, contact the APC CEO Anne Warden at (817) 916-0200 or by email at awarden@americanpecan.com, or USDA Marketing Specialist Abigail Maharaj at (863) 324-3375 or by email at Abigail.Mahraj@usda.gov.
“The American Pecan Council is working to quickly and assertively expand the position of U.S. pecans, and it’s critical that we have strong leaders at the Council table to direct this growth,” Warden said in the release. “Whether its supporting exports or building demand for pecans here at home, a diverse set of Council members ensures we keep the APC’s work centered on what’s best for the entire industry’s success.”
“Serving on the Council has been an incredible opportunity to connect with industry members across the country and stand up for the industry I love,” Larry Don Womack, APC chairman, said in the release. “We’ve got a top-notch staff and strong marketing programs, but it’s essential that we have new members who bring fresh perspective and a unique view of the challenges and opportunities we face.”
Founded in 2016 through a Federal Marketing Order, the APC’s mission is to promote the many benefits of and tell the story of the American pecan. With oversight by the USDA, APC aims to build consumer demand, develop markets and establish industry standards. APC is based in Fort Worth, Texas, and funded by pecan handlers in 15 pecan-producing states: Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Texas.
