WSHA announces new communications coordinator
WSHA announces new communications coordinator
Darby Jones, who has served as the Washington State Horticultural Association's communications coordinator for four years, will be stepping down to return to the private sector June 15. Her successor, Lynette Smith, has already stepped into the rather large shoes left behind by Ms. Jones.
As part of her responsibilities in media relations, Ms. Jones has been actively involved in publishing Headlines for HORT, providing weekly e-mail updates, planning for annual events, helping with the association's memorial scholarship and working on the Tree Fruit Day in Olympia. Ms. Jones served under three board presidents and said that she has always felt energized by the commitment and enthusiasm shown by association members.
"You do something new and exciting every day," she said. "I'm going to miss the growers, shippers and my boss [Jim Hazen]. "I have strong feelings about the tree fruit industry," she told The Produce News.
Ms. Jones is no stranger to Washington's agriculture scene. Her grandfather started Bruce Zan Orchards, and her father is an orchardist. "My departure will allow me more time with family and to support my husband, Greg Jones, and the family farming business, Jones Fruit & Produce."
She plans to put her two-year degree in tree fruit production and her bachelor of science degree in agricultural communications from Washington State University to good use in the future. Greg Jones manages an 800-acre vineyard and is also involved with onions, apples, potatoes, cherries and other row crops.
Ms. Jones said that she is ready to dig into the family operation. Her activities may be somewhat limited this summer, however, because she is expecting her first child in August.
Ms. Smith, a Washington native who earned a bachelor of science degree in mass communications from Eastern Washington University, said that she is looking forward to the challenges of her new position. Prior to relocating to Wenatchee, Ms. Smith worked in the mortgage lending field in Portland, OR. Like Ms. Jones, Ms. Smith comes from a family committed to agriculture.
"My uncle was an orchardist, and my dad works as an orchardist," she said, adding that the new position gives her an opportunity to "bring an interest in agriculture and the outdoors together."
She also brings a good working knowledge of marketing and graphic design to WSHA, and is working diligently to learn about the issues confronting the tree fruit industry.
"I'm a 'grab the bull by the horns' kind of gal," she said. She plans to embrace the position and be a resource for the association and its members. "Darby has made it really easy for me. It's almost as if our brains were mapped in the same way."
Mr. Hazen, executive director of WSHA, had glowing comments about both women. "[Darby] has been terrific not only to the organization but to the tree fruit industry." He said that her ties to the industry brought a solid understanding of issues to the association.
Mr. Hazen was equally complimentary of Ms. Smith. "Lynette's background in marketing and graphic design is a tremendous asset in her position here at WSHA. We are happy to have Lynette on board as part of our team."
The Washington State Horticultural Association serves approximately 3,000 tree fruit industry members. The 102-year-old voluntary organization provides education and training programs to meet changing industry needs and serves as an advocate on behalf of the industry.
As part of her responsibilities in media relations, Ms. Jones has been actively involved in publishing Headlines for HORT, providing weekly e-mail updates, planning for annual events, helping with the association's memorial scholarship and working on the Tree Fruit Day in Olympia. Ms. Jones served under three board presidents and said that she has always felt energized by the commitment and enthusiasm shown by association members.
"You do something new and exciting every day," she said. "I'm going to miss the growers, shippers and my boss [Jim Hazen]. "I have strong feelings about the tree fruit industry," she told The Produce News.
Ms. Jones is no stranger to Washington's agriculture scene. Her grandfather started Bruce Zan Orchards, and her father is an orchardist. "My departure will allow me more time with family and to support my husband, Greg Jones, and the family farming business, Jones Fruit & Produce."
She plans to put her two-year degree in tree fruit production and her bachelor of science degree in agricultural communications from Washington State University to good use in the future. Greg Jones manages an 800-acre vineyard and is also involved with onions, apples, potatoes, cherries and other row crops.
Ms. Jones said that she is ready to dig into the family operation. Her activities may be somewhat limited this summer, however, because she is expecting her first child in August.
Ms. Smith, a Washington native who earned a bachelor of science degree in mass communications from Eastern Washington University, said that she is looking forward to the challenges of her new position. Prior to relocating to Wenatchee, Ms. Smith worked in the mortgage lending field in Portland, OR. Like Ms. Jones, Ms. Smith comes from a family committed to agriculture.
"My uncle was an orchardist, and my dad works as an orchardist," she said, adding that the new position gives her an opportunity to "bring an interest in agriculture and the outdoors together."
She also brings a good working knowledge of marketing and graphic design to WSHA, and is working diligently to learn about the issues confronting the tree fruit industry.
"I'm a 'grab the bull by the horns' kind of gal," she said. She plans to embrace the position and be a resource for the association and its members. "Darby has made it really easy for me. It's almost as if our brains were mapped in the same way."
Mr. Hazen, executive director of WSHA, had glowing comments about both women. "[Darby] has been terrific not only to the organization but to the tree fruit industry." He said that her ties to the industry brought a solid understanding of issues to the association.
Mr. Hazen was equally complimentary of Ms. Smith. "Lynette's background in marketing and graphic design is a tremendous asset in her position here at WSHA. We are happy to have Lynette on board as part of our team."
The Washington State Horticultural Association serves approximately 3,000 tree fruit industry members. The 102-year-old voluntary organization provides education and training programs to meet changing industry needs and serves as an advocate on behalf of the industry.
