ASFMRA Official Notification

Official Notification
ASFMRA Nominations
July 3, 2013

OFFICIAL NOTIFICATION - ASFMRA Nominations 2013-2014

Events

Board of Directors Meeting
November 12, 2013
Reno, NV

AgroNomics / ASFMRA 84th Annual Meeting

American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers

950 South Cherry Street, Suite 508 Denver, CO 80246-2664
TEL: (303) 758-3513
FAX: (303) 758-0190
Email: hevans@asfmra.org
www.asfmra.org

Greetings!

The following two individuals will automatically advance to their new Council positions as President and President-Elect:

President - S. James Rickert, AFM, ARA

Current Position: Co-owner of Western Agricultural Services, with his wife Mary, since 1981. Their son James Rickert joined the family business in 2004. Jim provides farm and ranch management services on over 50,000 acres in five counties in Northern California. Western Agricultural Services also offers appraisal and real estate brokerage services.

Society Involvement:
Jim is a member of the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers and received his ARA designation in 1975 and his AFM designation in 1979. Jim served as President of the California Chapter of the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers in 1987 and as District VII Vice President for the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers.

Professional Involvement/Accomplishments:
In 2002, the Rickerts were recognized as the Farm Manager of Year by the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers, Syngenta and Crop Decisions Magazine. The Prather Ranch, managed and co-owned by the Rickerts, was awarded the Commercial Producer of the Year Award in 2005 by the Beef Improvement Federation. The ranch was also recognized by the National Cattlemen's Beef Association with the Environmental Stewardship Award/Region VI and the State of California's Governor's Award for Environmental and Economic Leadership. Jim, Mary and James Rickert were selected as winners of the Livestock Category for the Leopold Conservation Award in 2006 and 2007 by Sustainable Conservation and the California Farm Bureau.

Education Background:
S. James Rickert, AFM, ARA graduated Phi Kappa Phi from California Polytechnic State University with a degree in Agricultural Business and received a Masters Degree from Purdue University in Agricultural Economics. He was a fellow of Class 16 of the California Agricultural Leadership Program. Jim has served on many state and local boards such as the Shasta County Consolidated Farm Service Agency, Fall River Resource Conservation District and the California Polytechnic State University Agricultural Business Department Advisory Council.

General Information:
Jim and his family specialize in organic beef production by marketing a branded beef product that is both organic and natural and supply bovine raw materials for bio-medical device companies. The Rickerts raise approximately 20,000 tons of alfalfa, timothy and grass hay and produce specialty crops such as wild rice and peppermint. Many of the properties they manage provide recreational opportunities for hunting and fishing.

President-Elect - Fred Hepler, AFM, AAC

Current Position: Senior Asset Manager Cottonwood Mgmt; Kirkland, Washington

Designation(s): Accredited Farm Manager (AFM), Accredited Agricultural Consultant (AAC)

Society Involvement:
Fred originally joined the ASFMRA on June 26, 1982 as a Professional member. He obtained his AFM designation and went to Accredited on November 1, 1986. He obtained his AAC designation on June 20, 1997. He has been very active with the Society on both the National and Chapter level. Fred currently belongs to both the Illinois and Oklahoma Chapters. He was the Illinois Chapter Vice President from 2006-2007, Illinois Chapter President Elect from 2007-2008, and the Illinois Chapter President from 2008-2009. Fred's service to the ASFMRA on the National level includes: Management Education from 2001-2003 and 2005-2006, Membership from 2004-2006, District III Vice President from 2004-2008, Financial Review/Investment from 2006-2007 and 2010-2012, Management/Consulting Task Force from 2007-2008, Management/Consulting Education/Accrediting from 2008-2010, Board of Directors from 2010-2011, and both the 2011 and 2012 Program Committees. Fred has also been an ASFMRA instructor.

Professional Involvement/Accomplishments:
Authentic agribusiness expertise is not found just within the walls of an office - it is developed over time from hands-on farm experience and an intuitive business sense. It is precisely this expertise that has allowed Fred Hepler to make sound business decisions that significantly affected the livelihood and prosperity of his company, individual farmers, their families, and their operations.

Over the last 36 years, Fred has specialized in farmland investments, farm and feedlot operations, land development, business strategic planning, and personnel administration/management. His expertise has been vital to Cottonwood in developing a profitable diversified irrigated farming company.

Education Background:
Fred has an extensive education with an Associate of Science degree in Computer Programming, a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Business at Iowa State University and an M.B.A. at Eastern Illinois University, graduating with honors.

Fred's knowledge of market trends, land values, investment opportunities and portfolio management, and how they will continue to impact agriculture, can be relied upon by all areas of the industry including individual producers, foreign and domestic investors, and government personnel. His diverse background of knowledge about the agriculture industry has been one of the key components to his success as a leader in the industry.

New Nominations

The following four individuals have been nominated for positions on the ASFMRA Executive Council:

First Vice President - Merrill Swanson, ARA

Current Position:
Vice President - Principal Dugger, Canaday, Grafe, Inc. in San Antonio, TX

Designation(s):
Accredited Rural Appraiser (ARA)

Area/Territory Served:

South, Southeast, Central and West Texas.

Responsibilities:
Professionally, Merrill serves as a Vice President/Principal with Dugger, Canaday, Grafe, Inc. (Dugger/Canaday) in San Antonio, Texas which was formerly the firm of Love and Dugger. Beginning his career in August 1989, Merrill has been actively employed by Dugger/Canaday since then with a trade area of South, Southeast, Central and West Texas. Valuation assignments have been prepared throughout Texas since the late 1980's. Valuation experience out of Texas includes development land near Pass Christian, Mississippi. Land brokerage has been in South and Southeast Texas and the Texas Hill Country. Primary company duties include a focus on rural land and agribusiness properties though appraisal, appraisal review, counseling and brokerage.

Educational Background:
Merrill is a 1986 graduate of Texas A & M University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agricultural Economics and a 1988 graduate of Texas A & M University with a Master of Agriculture in Land Economics and Real Estate.

Society Involvement:
Circa 1994, Merrill joined the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers as a Candidate and later achieved the ARA designation in July 1998 in Spokane, Washington, (Certificate 1107). Merrill has been an active ASFMRA member on a National and local Chapter basis. National ASFMRA - Strategic Planning Committee (late 1990's), Program Committee (2005), District V Vice President Executive Council (2006-2009), Co-Chair Government Relations Committee (2010-present), informal Observer Executive Council (2012/2013). Texas Chapter - Director (2000) and later Chapter President (2004), Chairman of the Rural Land Value Committee/Team Captain - South Texas Region at the annual Outlook for Rural Land Conference sponsored by the Real Estate Center at Texas A & M University (2002-present).

Professional Experience/Accomplishments:
Other professional membership associations include the Alliance of Texas Land Brokers (President in 2004) and Society of Texas A & M Real Estate Professionals.

Mr. Swanson is a Texas, State Certified General Appraiser (License No. TX-1325511-G) as well as a licensed Real Estate Broker (License No. 376017) specializing in farms and ranches.

Other real estate experience includes office-warehouse leasing with the William N. Carl Company, Houston, Texas and land market research with Raymond R. Betz Interests, Inc., Houston, Texas.

General Information:
Merrill E. Swanson is a native of the Texas Gulf Coast from El Campo in Wharton County. Merrill attended El Campo public schools. At an early age, he learned about agriculture by working on the family rice farm.

In 1992, Merrill married Elizabeth Falls of San Antonio, Texas. Merrill and Elizabeth reside in San Antonio with their three children who attend Alamo Heights Schools - Cecelia (17) and twins (Caroline and Travis (14)). The Swansons are active in the Alamo Heights Methodist Church, children's sports, Boy Scouts of America and other local organizations.

District I Vice President - Timothy L. (Tim) Harpster, ARA

Current Position: President; Consolidated Appraisal Services Company (CASC) in Wapakoneta, OH

Designation(s):
Accredited Rural Appraiser (ARA)

Area/Territory Served:
CASC serves a broad range of clients in Ohio and Indiana, with some team members specializing in agriculture, others in commercial/industrial and others in single family residence appraisals. Clients include mortgage lenders, individuals, estates, eminent domain, and litigation.

Responsibilities:
Oversee and manage a 12 person appraisal firm. Manage client relationships, negotiate assignment terms and fees, also educate clients on appraisal process. I also prepare and work on appraisals of complex properties. Manage and nurture staff appraisers and apprentices.

Educational Background:
The Ohio State University, 1983, B.S. Agricultural Economics; have completed classes and seminars from ASFMRA and AI, ASA.

Society Involvement:
Ohio Chapter Past President, participated in 2012 Leadership Institute.

Professional Experience/Accomplishments:
I started my professional career with Farm Credit Services as a loan officer in 1987. In 1992, I started as a farm loan manager with Mutual Benefit Life, which later became Zions Ag Finance. In 1999, I started my appraisal career with Harvey Appraisal Company in Springfield, Ohio and in 2003, started CASC, which I own and manage. I am currently a director for the Ohio Coalition of Appraisal Professionals. I received my Ohio general certification in 2002 and achieved the ARA designation in 2009.

General Information:
Married for 27 years, and have 2 daughters, both of whom are part of the appraisal company.

District III Vice President - Jerry R. Hicks, AFM

Current Position: Farm Manager Agrivest, Inc. in Springfield, IL

Designation(s):
Accredited Farm Manager (AFM)

Educational Background:
Bachelor of Science Degree in Agriculture, majoring in animal science, University of Illinois, 1971.
Master of Science Degree in animal science/beef, U of I, 1972.
Advanced studies in Agriculture Communications, U of I, 1976.
Illinois Agricultural Leadership Foundation, two-year program, Class of 1984.
Completed Report Writing School, ASFMRA, 1985.
Completed Principles of Farm Management Course, ASFMRA, 1986
Completed Advanced Farm Management School, ASFMRA, 1988.
Received Accredited Farm Manager (AFM) Designation from the ASFMRA, 1986. Completed Basic Real Estate Transactions Course, Real Estate Education Company and became a licensed salesperson, 1980. Completed Real Estate Broker Education and became licensed, 2000 (License #0750104609) Completed "Standard and Ethics" course as required by ASFMRA every nine years, since February, 1995.

Society Involvement:
Jerry originally joined the ASFMRA in 1985. He obtained his Accredited Farm Manager (AFM) designation in 1986. He served as President of the Illinois Society of Professional Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers in 2005. He was the Illinois Chapter Director for the ASFMRA Board of Directors from September 1, 2006 to August 31, 2007. Jerry served on the ASFMRA Government Relations Committee from October 1, 2006 to September 30, 2010. He was the Illinois Chapter Alternate Director from September 1, 2007 to August 31, 2008. Member American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers - Legislative Committee member.

Professional Experience/Accomplishments:
Partner, Treasurer, Farm Manager & Real Estate Broker, Agrivest, Inc., March 2000 to present.
Sr. Farm Management Officer with FFG Agrivest (successor to First National Bank) 1994 to March 2000.
Farm Manager from 1983 to 1994, promoted to Senior Farm Manager, 1994.
Executive Vice-President, Illinois Pork Producers Association, Springfield, Illinois, 1980 to 1983.
Assistant and Associate Agricultural Advisor, University of Illinois Cooperative Extension Service, Dixon, Illinois, 1976 to 1980.
Worked at University of Illinois Beef Farms, and Animal Science K40 Counter Physiology Lab.
Member of Sangamon County & Illinois Farm Bureau.
University of Illinois Agricultural Alumni Association, Board of Directors and Treasurer.
4-H Leader - 24 years - Friend of Illinois 4-H - 2009
Springfield United Methodist Church member.
Chairman, University of Illinois Cooperative Extension Services State Extension Advisory Council.
Chairman & Secretary, Sangamon-Menard Extension Council.
Treasurer, Illinois Agricultural Legislative Event Committee.
Member U of I College of Agriculture Deans Advisory Committee
Program Chairman, Springfield, Chamber of Commerce Agricultural Committee.
Vice-President Pleasant Plains School Board Member.
President - Extension Partners
Honorary State FFA Degree - 2005
Friend of Illinois 4-H - 2009
ISPFMRA Hall of Fame - 2011
Illinois Licensed Real Estate Salesperson #0750104542
Illinois Licensed Real Estate Broker #0750104609

General Information:
Jerry was raised on a Lee County, Illinois beef, swine and grain farm.

District IV Vice President - Terry Longtin, AFM

Current Position: Area Sales Manager/Area Vice President; Farmers National Company in Grand Forks, ND

Designation(s):
Accredited Farm Manager (AFM)

Area/Territory Served:
Area Vice-President for farm management and Area Sales Manager for real estate sales in North Dakota, western Minnesota, and northeastern South Dakota.

Responsibilities at Farmers National Company:
As Area Vice President and Area Sales Manager, Terry supervises 16 farm managers and real estate agents. This includes North Dakota, western Minnesota, and northeastern South Dakota. Each office provides full farm management services, real estate sales, consultation, appraisals, insurance, commodity marketing for our clients.

Member of Farmers National Company Ethics Committee.

Educational Background:
B.S. in Farm and Ranch Management, Minor in Agronomy and Agricultural Economics from North Dakota State University, graduating in 1982.
1978 Graduate of Walhalla High School, Walhalla, North Dakota.

Professional Experience/Accomplishments:
2011 - Present: Farmers National Company Area Vice-President and Area Sales Manager, Grand Forks, North Dakota.
1989 - 2011: Alerus Financial Agriculture Division Manager, Grand Forks, North Dakota.
1982 - 1989: US Bank Farm Manager, Fargo and Grand Forks, North Dakota.
1992 Earned Accredited Farm Manager (AFM) designation through the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers (ASFMRA);
Served as North Dakota ASFMRA President in 1993.
Member of North Dakota and Minnesota ASFMRA Chapters.
Member of Realtors Land Institute (RLI).
Greater Grand Forks Sertoma Club Member and past President.
Greater Grand Forks Chamber, member of the Ag Committee.
Greater Grand Forks Symphony Board of Directors and current Treasurer.

General Information:
Grew up on the family farm in northeast North Dakota

Additional Nominations

The ASFMRA Bylaws provide for the nomination of additional names for the 2013-2014 election process.

Any additional nominations for these positions must be submitted within fifteen (15) days of this official notification - by July 18, 2013. Any additional membership nominees must be endorsed by at least 20 voting member signatures from a combination of two or more Chapters. Any member nominated in this manner must submit a signed, written statement verifying that the member is willing to serve if elected.

No later than 60 days prior to the end of the fiscal year - by August 1, 2013 - ballots will be mailed to appropriate voting members for the position that has two nominees. Ballots are due in 15 days - by August 16, 2013.

No later than 45 days prior to the end of the fiscal year - by August 16, 2013 -completed ballots must be returned and received by the Society, with voting closed. The nominee receiving the highest number of votes shall be elected.

If, by August 1, 2013, only one nomination for a position exists, the requirements for the election of these nominees shall be deemed fulfilled and these nominees shall be elected by acclamation, thereby eliminating the ballot election process for these positions.

Sincerely,

Hope Evans