Oklahoma food industry leaders gather at FAPC
By Mandy Gross
FAPC Communications Services Manager
(Stillwater, Okla. – June 19, 2012) Very few times do you find Oklahoma’s food industry leaders together in one place. That was the scene during a recent advisory meeting of Oklahoma State University’s Robert M. Kerr Food & Agricultural Products Center.
FAPC’s Industry Advisory Committee members from all across Oklahoma met June 7, 2012, 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 Roy Escoubas, FAPC director.
David Howard, 2011-2012 committee chair and president and owner of Unitherm Food Systems in Bristow, Okla., presided over the meeting.
“The committee meetings give us an opportunity to discuss important issues and challenges facing the FAPC,” Howard said. “The meetings are vital in order to keep us informed, so we are able to provide the necessary leadership.”
During the meeting, committee members heard short presentations from faculty and staff about specific projects from microalgae and sodium reduction to food safety and the Dallas Gourmet Market.
The committee also had the opportunity to taste the newly discovered Vegas Strip Steak. The FAPC had a hand in developing the newest steak, along with Tony Mata, the proclaimed Meat Geek®.
Chef Donald Pritchett of OSU’s The Ranchers Club prepared the steak for the group and discussed the qualities from a culinary perspective. The Ranchers Club assisted in preliminary preparation, plating and tasting of the new steak during the discovery.
Finally, the committee elected new officers for the upcoming year. Paul Schatte of Head Country Food Products in Ponca City, Okla., Danny Dupree of Bar-S Foods Co. in Clinton, Okla., and Tommy Kramer of Durant Economic Development Authority in Durant, Okla., will serve as chair, vice chair and secretary/treasurer, respectively.
“I’m honored to be elected as chair of the committee and looking forward to a productive and successful year at the FAPC,” Schatte said. “The advisory board consists of a diverse group of individuals representing the food and agricultural sectors and works hard to provide leadership and guidance to the FAPC.”
Schatte also said with the leadership of the two previous chairs, Howard and John Williams of Chef's Requested Foods in Oklahoma City, there are developing programs that could have a positive affect on Oklahoma.
In addition to Howard, Schatte, Dupree, Kramer and Williams, other members of the committee include John Griffin, Griffin Foods of Muskogee, Okla.; Bill Wiley, BC Solutions of Edmond, Okla.; Gary Crane, Ralph’s Packing Co. of Perkins, Okla.; Rodger Kerr, Southwest Technology Center of Altus, Okla.; David McLaughlin, AdvancePierre Foods of Oklahoma City; Gary Conkling, Producers Cooperative Oil Mill of Oklahoma City; Virgil Jurgensmeyer, J-M Farms of Miami, Okla.; Dick Davis, retired administrator of the Agri-Services Division of the Oklahoma Department of Corrections of Cashion, Okla.; Allen Mills, Reasor’s Inc. of Tahlequah, Okla.; and Ed Clements, Clements Foods Co. of Oklahoma City.
The committee meets twice a year to conduct business relating to the FAPC, usually in June and November. The June meeting is held at the FAPC, while the November meeting is held off-site at the discretion of the committee.
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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.
