FAPC Industry Advisory Committee holds meeting
By Mandy Gross
FAPC Communications Services Manager
11-19-2007
STILLWATER, Okla. – The Industry Advisory Committee of the Robert M. Kerr Food & Agricultural Products Center on the campus of Oklahoma State University met recently at the FAPC to discuss food and agricultural issues.
“The Industry Advisory Committee offers counsel, makes decisions and takes leadership action to ensure the FAPC makes sound short- and long-term plans to accomplish its mission and objectives,” said J. Roy Escoubas, FAPC director.
Bill Wiley, chair of the committee and president of Oklahoma Refrigerated Services in Oklahoma City, presided over the meeting.
“The committee meetings give us an opportunity to see the projects the FAPC faculty and staff are working on and the events that are being planned,” Wiley said. “The meetings are a good way to keep us informed, so we are able to provide the necessary leadership.”
During the meeting, the committee members were able to view three demonstrations in the FAPC pilot plant. These demonstrations included the production of biodiesel, formulation of salsa and antimicrobial interventions in food processing.
Members of the committee include Wiley; Danny Dupree, Bar-S Food Co.; John Griffin, Griffin Food Co.; Tommy Kramer, Durant Economic Development Authority; Jill Stichler, Redland Juice Co.; Gary Crane, Ralph’s Packing Co.; David Howard, Unitherm Food Systems Inc.; Rodger Kerr, Southwest Technology Center; David McLaughlin, Advance Food Co.; Jay Cowart, Plains Cotton Cooperative Association; Gary Conkling, Producers Cooperative Oil Mill; Paul Schatte, Head Country Bar-B-Q; Charles Nichols, Davison & Sons Cattle Co.; Virgil Jurgensmeyer, J-M Farms; and John Williams, Chef’s Requested Foods.
The FAPC has the privilege of oversight by this committee of Oklahoma agricultural and business leaders, appointed by the highest positions of Oklahoma state government, Escoubas said.
"Through the visionary leadership of certain state representatives and senators, such as Sens. Bruce Price, Paul Muegge and the late Bob Kerr and Rep. M.C. Leist, State Statute 2-5-60 was established in 1997 to provide an advisory committee for the FAPC," Escoubas said.
The governor, the speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives and the president pro tempore of the Oklahoma Senate each appoint four members to the FAPC Industry Advisory Committee. The vice president, dean and director of OSU’s Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources serves as a non-voting member and also appoints three members to the committee.
The positions that are required by state statute include national food processors operating in Oklahoma, Oklahoma food processors, Made-In-Oklahoma representatives, economic development representatives and representatives from the food and agribusiness marketing and transportation sectors. Also, included are a representative for the fiber and textile industry, representatives for the industrial and pharmaceutical sectors and representatives of production agriculture.
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Oklahoma State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture, State and Local Governments Cooperating. The Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to all eligible persons regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, disability, or status as a veteran, and is an equal opportunity employer.
