NWA caps off 111th annual convention in style
By
John Groh
NWA caps off 111th annual convention in style
ST PETE BEACH, FL – The National Watermelon Association capped off its 111th annual convention Feb. 21 with an awards banquet, here, where the 2026 National Watermelon Queen was crowned and a new slate of officers was installed, including the naming of just the second female president in the association’s storied history.
The evening began with a cocktail reception followed by the awards banquet, where Jordan Carter of Leger & Son was named president of the association. Also installed was Lee Wroten of Global Produce Sales as vice president, with past president Bob Gibson of Gibson Produce moving to the role of chairman of the association.
NWA Executive Director George Szczepanski said that Carter was just the second woman elected to serve as president of the association, drawing hearty applause from the membership. Notably, Carter recently completed her term as president of the National Watermelon Promotion Board.
ceremonial gavel from outgoing president Bob Gibson.
Ray Vincent of Vincent Farms in Laurel, DE, was awarded the association’s Outstanding Service Award for his many years of dedication to the NWA and watermelon industry.
As the evening drew to a close, regional watermelon queens Caroline Allen of Mar-Del, Bethany Boller of Texas, Jocelyn Wible of Illiana, Elle Steinlage of North Carolina, Macie Cross of Gulf Coast, Raegan Hudson of Florida and Katelyn Lindsay of Georgia anxiously awaited the results of their spirited competition to become National Queen for 2026.
Georgia’s Katelyn Lindsay was ultimately chosen as 2026 National Watermelon Queen by panel of five judges and will serve as the chief ambassador for the watermelon industry until the NWA holds its convention next February in Las Vegas.
“This year’s national convention was a symbol of love, joy and innovation,” Carter told The Produce News. “ Each year, we come together as a family bringing a passion for watermelon that overflows with purpose and intensity. We had fruitful meetings and networking events that offered productive conversations with a focus on shared goals and new strategies to move our beloved association forward. I am proud to be a part of such a special event that amplifies unity ensuring that each staff member, board member and association member feels supported and valued. Our time together in St. Pete was filled with gratitude as we consciously shared, reflected and acknowledged each other’s presence and efforts.”