NAMA announces award winners.

AMA has announced the winners of the Professional Development Awards of Excellence. Four members will receive these awards that honor outstanding achievement in the areas of Marketing Communications, Product/Species Management, Public Relations and Sales. The awards will be presented during the 2005 Agribusiness Forum November 8-9 in Kansas City.

Larson named Marketing Communications honoree.

As advertising and public relations manager for NK Brand/Syngenta Seeds, Bev Larson's achievements stand out for the successful manner in which she has navigated NK Brand communication needs in a year of acquisitions by Syngenta Seeds. Larson helped develop and manages a communications program that maintains NK Brands points of differentiation, yet supports Syngenta Seed's overall goal of providing choices for growers through multiple brands.

A dedicated NAMA member, Larson's most recent NAMA involvement was serving as a 2005 Boot Camp panel member. She is active in her local chapter and has served on the North Central Membership Advisory Team.

Product/Species Management honor awarded to Dennis Gehler.

Dennis Gehler, forage product manager for CROPLAN GENETICS/Land O'Lakes, is an innovator on several fronts.

He founded the Midwest Forage Association in 2003 which has members from 10 states and is still growing.

Gehler has also championed the idea of a demand driven hay market that serves both buyers and sellers. Hay Markets International (HMI) was born from that idea.

In addition, he is currently in the process of launching Roundup Ready Alfalfa.

Gehler has attended regional and local NAMA functions and is a strong advocate for the organization.

Delta and Pine Land Company's Janice Person receives Public Relations award.

As corporate public relations manager, Janice Person works directly with the company's senior management on several key activities. Some of these recent activities include announcing the company's new technology agreement; keeping the company up-to-date on the status of the World Trade Organization negotiations and the industry's position; and a total revamp of the company's investor relations presentations.

An active member of the Midsouth NAMA Chapter, positions Person has held recently are: chair of the national Professional Recognition committee; president of Midsouth NAMA; and participation in Best of NAMA as a national judge.

Margaret Oldham named Sales honoree.

As director of business development for Beck Ag Com, Inc., Margaret Oldham was key in the development process of the FMC Business Academy, a program developed to differentiate FMC and their customers, the Star Retailers. The FMC Business Academy offers these Star Retailers an opportunity to gain access to third party subject experts, share innovative ideas and work on skill sets to improve their business. As a result, FMC gains valuable customer focus on their products while the retailer gains a better understanding of all product positioning and perceptions of value in the market place.

Oldham and Beck Ag Com have been very involved in NAMA, being an active member since the company's creation in 1997.