NAMA honors the best in leadership.

NAMA has named the organization's national leadership award recipients. Awards were presented at the Best of NAMA Awards Ceremony in Kansas City. Below is a listing of each award and the recipient.

President's Award Stephanie Gable, Carolinas/Virginia Chapter (Bayer CropScience)

The President's Award is presented each year to an individual who contributes in a significant way to the agenda of the national president. This year President Tom Smull has chosen an individual that has taken the lead on several important issues to the organization.

When faced with the important challenge of surveying the membership in order to better assess member needs and industry trends, Gable took the lead and the results have been important data that will lead the organization into the future. Her strategic thinking has been an important asset to the organization.

R.C. Ferguson Award Russ Parker, Cornbelt Chapter (J.L. Farmakis)

Russ Parker's career-long dedication and service to NAMA deserves recognition through this award. Parker has served in many leadership positions at the chapter and national levels, including chapter president and executive committee member.

Parker has been instrumental in the revitalization of the Cornbelt Chapter. The chapter has had a resurgence over the last couple years, resulting in increased activity and membership. In addition, he is a long time operating committee member of the Agri-Business Educational Foundation (ABEF) and currently serves as secretary/treasurer.

Dilworth Award for Innovation Colleen Parr, Southwest Chapter (Fleishman-Hillard)

Under the leadership of Colleen Parr, the national Best of NAMA program has had a successful year. Entry numbers are on the rise, with 1230 entries judged regionally and an all time high number of entries advancing to the national level. In addition to the challenges of evaluating and awarding the best work in the industry, this year the committee provided input to the Best of NAMA Task Force.

Workhorse of the Year Award Ken Dean, Missouri-Kansas Chapter (High Plains Journal)

Ken Dean served as chair of the National Membership Committee. His leadership has resulted in an increase in membership for the year. Under his direction, the committee designed and implemented the NAMA Advocate Program in which NAMA members volunteer to promote membership in NAMA. Dean's enthusiasm for recruiting members energized the the program.

Outstanding Chair Laurie Christen, North Central Chapter (Colle+McVoy)

Laurie Christen served as the chair of this year's Agri-Marketing Conference and Trade Show. Her committee consisted of 11 members who were all engaged in planning the program for conference. Her leadership resulted in a stellar line-up of speakers and programming.

Meritorious Achievement Carolinas/Virginia Chapter President--Frank Timberlake

The Carolinas/Virginia Chapter hit the ground running this year. They spent the summer planning and put together a cohesive board designed to divide responsibility and cover all program areas.

Meritorious Achivement Myrna Krueger, North Central Chapter (Colle+McVoy)

Myrna Krueger served as chair for the national Careers Committee. Under her direction the committee ran the successful Careers Program with 35 accredited student chapters and over 400 students and advisors attending conference.

Meritorious Achievement Lori Strum, Iowa Chapter (StrategicAmerica)

Lori Strum served on the Region III Best of NAMA Committee whose responsibility was to plan and execute a banquet to celebrate the best work in the region, Strum personally was responsible for the fundraising for the event and raised over $11,000.

Meritorious Achievement MoKan Chapter President--Steve Tomac

The MoKan Chapter is celebrating a successful year. Under the leadership of Steve Tomac with John Deere, the chapter put on several successful events. In addition to valuable programming, the chapter had an increase in membership.