RTWG Symposium
General Session & Industry Luncheon
General Session
George H. Soares, Legal Counsel, Governmental Affairs Advisor
California Agriculture: Managing the Political Landscape
George Soares received his JD at the University of the Pacific and BS from California Polytechnic State University. He regularly appears before the California State Legislature and various state and federal administrative agencies on behalf of agricultural clients. The recipient of numerous awards and appointments, George serves on the Cal Poly Foundation Board of Directors which has direct responsibility over a wide array of university services; served on the Board of Directors of the Agricultural Education Foundation from 1990 through 1999; since 1996 has served on the San Joaquin College of Law Agricultural Advisory Board; was made an honorary lifetime member of the Western Crop Protection Association in 1999; received the Outstanding Service Award from the American Crop Protection Association in 2000; the 2001 recipient of the Golden Bear Award presented by the California State Fair for service to youth; and has been selected as a 2002 recipient of the California Agricultural Leadership Program's Profile in Leaders in the category of Public Policy. In addition to his law practice, George, and his wife Gloria own and operate a dairy and farming business in Hanford, California.
Reece Langley, Vice President, Government Affairs for USA Rice Federation.
Farm Bill in Progress: A Look at the End-game
Reece earned a master’s degree in business administration (MBA) from Auburn University in 2000 after completing a bachelor’s degree in agricultural economics in 1997. Reece Langley is the Vice President, Government Affairs for the USA Rice Federation, which is the trade association representing rice producers, millers, merchants, and allied businesses. He is responsible for helping develop and implement the industry’s public policy positions from a legislative and regulatory standpoint by working with Congress and the Administration. Reece has worked in the agricultural sector from both a policy and agricultural production perspective. Before joining USA Rice, he was an agricultural legislative assistant to Rep. Terry Everett (R-AL), a position that allowed him to be involved in the negotiations of the 2002 farm bill and its conference committee, and other agricultural issues. Reece was raised on a family cotton farm in North Alabama, where he farmed in partnership with his father.
Industry Luncheon
Tim Johnson, President & CEO, California Rice Commission (CRC)
California Rice: An Industry as Unique as its State
Tim earned a BS in Business Administration and an MBA from San Jose State University. Under his guidance, the CRC manages state and national legislative and regulatory issues, foodservice promotion and public education on behalf of the 2,500 producers and over 40 marketers that comprise the state’s $500 million rice industry. The CRC has successfully moved a number of bills through the state legislature in recent years, including the SB 700 series of air quality bills, $15 million in funding for West Nile virus, the California Rice Certification Act, the $2 million California Rice Straw Fund and, notably, the legislation that enabled the formation of the CRC in 2000. At the national level, Tim is actively engaged in national farm policy and regulatory issues. He has also developed key promotional programs for California rice in the food service sector. He travels to the industry’s major export markets in Asia to develop effective promotion campaigns that introduce new consumers to California rice. With a background in marketing, sales and promotion, he brings valuable perspective and business savvy to California’s rice industry. Prior to heading the CRC, Tim gained 12 years of extensive food industry experience with companies including Frito-Lay, Producers Dairy and the California Rice Promotion Board. Tim and his wife, Ann, are also partners in the family Sierra Foothills Vineyard that known for producing award winning Zinfandels.
Conference Highlights
Titles and Summaries Due
Nov. 1, 2007
Abstracts Due
December 1, 2007
Award Nominations Due December 1, 2007
Presentation Submission to Panel Chairs Due
February 1, 2008
Conference Registration (Last Day for early on-line & mail-in registration)
February 1, 2008
Dates
Feb. 18 - 21, 2008
Location
San Diego, CA, USA
Current Conference Sponsorship
