RISE Members Gather, Connect for 32nd Annual Meeting in Georgia

The second panel discussion featured top industry communicators who discussed how to implement messaging using RISE public opinion research. 

The keynote speaker was Timothy Caulfield from the University of Alberta, Canada, a communicator, professor, and scientific researcher who debunks myths and assumptions about innovation for the benefit of the public and decision-makers. 

RISE members and other industry leaders were honored with awards. The recipient of the 2022 E. Allen James Leadership Award was Wendell Codner, FMC Business Manager of Global Consumer Solutions and past Chair of the Strategic Oversight Council. 

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RISE’s most distinguished volunteer honor named for its first president recognizes exemplary leadership and outstanding contributions to the specialty pesticide and fertilizer industry and to RISE. 

“Since joining RISE, Wendell has been an active member on our committees,” said Provost. “He’s helped attract and retain members and provided input to deliver the best possible programs for our members. He has been proactive in stewarding RISE activities and thinks about our industry first.” 

The 2022 RISE Grassroots Excellence Award was given to two honorees this year, Matthew Johnson, President of Aquatic Control, for his federal grassroots work, and Pete Gorman, Chair of the Connecticut Environmental Council, for his work in the state. 

Created in 2012, the RISE Grassroots Excellence Award is presented annually to an individual, group or allied association that demonstrates outstanding effort and contributions to furthering the mission, vision and goals of the specialty pesticide and fertilizer industry’s public policy advocacy through grassroots. 

The 2022 Strategic Driver Award, recognizing the work of RISE volunteer leaders and their impact of helping RISE achieve its strategic plan’s mission and vision, was awarded to: 

RISE founding member, long-time volunteer leader and Governing Board member Bill Culpepper, SePRO Founder/Chairman, was recognized for his 31 years of service to the association during his last RISE Annual Meeting before retirement. RISE leaders shared their sentiments and best wishes in a video and Bill was gifted a set of RISE pickleball paddles.

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