VFGC Board
The Virginia Forage and Grassland Council is comprised of people dedicated to forages and animal agriculture and their roles in Virginia’s quality of life. We are governed by 12 directors representing farmers and agribusiness and six non-voting technical advisors representing governmental and educational organizations.
Our membership elects Directors for three-year terms. Directors are limited to two consecutive terms. The directors elect the Council president, secretary, and treasurer. Technical advisors are appointed for three-year terms by the directors. Officers, directors, and technical advisors receive no financial compensation for their services.
The Board of Directors is made up of 18 members in good standing including 12 elected members (6 industry and 6 producers), then 6 appointed directors serving as technical advisors.
President
Shawna Bratton
Serving Valley Region
Vice President
Becky Szarzynski
Serving Valley Region
Secretary
Gabriel Pent
Serving Piedmont Region
Treasurer and Registered Agent
Leo Tammi – Treasurer
Serving Valley Region
Matt Booher – Registered Agent
Serving Valley Region
Industry Directors
6 elected by membership (Article IV Section 1a)
Billy White
Serving Southern Piedmont
Rick Brown
Serving Piedmont Region
Patrick Burch
Serving Southwest Region
John McClintic
Serving Northern Piedmont
Alston Hilliard
Serving Eastern Piedmont
David Jessee
Serving Valley Region
Producer Directors
6 elected by membership (Article IV Section 1a)
Becky Szarzynski
Serving Valley Region
Ronnie Nuckols
Serving Piedmont Region
Joe Sparks
Serving Southwest Region
Jerry Jennings
Serving Piedmont Region
Technical Advisors
6 non-voting Directors – Agricultural Agency Representatives appointed by the Board)
Jacob Gilley
Serving Northern Piedmont Region
Luke Longanecker
Serving Piedmont Region
Steve Pottorff
Serving Southwest Region
Scott Baker
Serving Piedmont Region
J. B. Daniel
Serving Piedmont Region
Morgan Paulette
Serving Southwest Region
Educational Advisor Representatives
serves as counsel to the Board (appointed by the Board)
Dennis Jones
Serving Piedmont Region
Dr. Gordon Groover
Serving Southwest Region
Dr. John Fike
Serving Southwest Region
Dr. Gabriel Pent
Serving Piedmont Region
Inga Haugen
Serving Southwest Region
Dr. Ben Tracy
Serving Southwest Region
Dr. Vitalis Temu
Serving Eastern Region
Alston Horn
Serving Valley Region
Kathryn Payne
Serving Piedmont Region
Matt Booher
Serving Valley Region
Producer Advisor Representatives
serves as counsel to the Board (appointed by the Board)
John Genhoe
Serving Piedmont Region
Robert Shoemaker
Serving Northern Region
Bill Tucker
Serving Piedmont Region
Mike Goldwasser
Serving Southwest Region
Michael Webert
Serving Northern Region
Jon Repair
Serving Valley Region
Leo Tammi
Serving Valley Region