Please view this link: http://www.usda.gov/2006/02/0049.xml Release No. 0049.06 Jimmie Turner (202) 720-6179 jimmie.turner@xxxxxxxx Billy Cox (202) 720-8998 billy.cox@xxxxxxxx JOHANNS NAMES MEMBERS TO THE NATIONAL WATERMELON PROMOTION BOARD WASHINGTON, Feb. 17, 2006 -- Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns today announced the appointment of 11 members to the National Watermelon Promotion Board. Thomas A. Smith, a producer from LaBelle, Fla., District One, and two handlers, District One's William Robert Ward, Jr., Lakeland, Fla., and Michael A. Caruthers, Immokalee, Fla., have been reappointed. Chandler Mack, a producer from Babson Park, Fla., District One, is a new appointee. Three importers, Francisco Ramon Murillo, Jr., Nogalez, Ariz.; Matthew J. Bradley III, McAllen, Texas; and Alan Guzi, Delray Beach, Fla., have been reappointed. Three other importers, Jesus Enrique Lopez, Rio Rico, Ariz.; Michael Warren, Coral Springs, Fla.; and Mario W. Cardenas, Boca Raton Fla., are new appointees. Maureen Ellis, Sterling, Va., is a new appointee to the board as a public member. Each member's term will last for three years beginning immediately and ending on Dec. 31, 2008. The producer and handler members were nominated, respectively, by producers and handlers. The public member was nominated by the board. Watermelon producers, handlers and importers finance the board's programs through assessments. Authorized under the Watermelon Research and Promotion Act of 1985, the board administers an industry-funded national research and promotion program to maintain and expand markets for watermelon. USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service monitors the operations of the board. More information about the research and promotion programs can be found at http://www.ams.usda.gov/fv/rpb.html. USDA News oc.news@xxxxxxxx 202 720-4623 ---------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe, send email to webservices@xxxxxxxx and reference your email address.
