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Here is what people are saying about the NWA:

  • “The NWA has been invaluable to Multicorr in our marketing efforts. We are newcomers to the watermelon industry (3 years) and have found the Vineline a key marketing tool to easily reach our core audience. The NWA offers a proven and effective platform for entertaining our existing customers and spending quality time with our targeted potential customers. Through the NWA – we continue to grow our produce bin business.”
    John Goodloe,
    Vice President
  • “The NWA Transportation Program is a service designed specifically for our shippers that is managed and operated on behalf of NWA by C. H. Robinson Worldwide. It provides extensive regional capacity capability, competitive rates, 24/7/365 communication and sophisticated logistics cost analysis tools. The program is a bottom line value that assists our members in retaining existing customers and growing new business opportunities.”
    Jim Schmidt
  • “What does the NWA do for its members? This is something that I live by in my business.
    The difference is in ‘We’ and ‘I’.
    ‘I’ is one, and ‘We’ are many with the NWA. We promote and work on all issues affecting the watermelon business together, and We improve our companies and the watermelon business as a whole.”
    Nowell Borders –
    Borders Melons
  • “As an allied member of the National Watermelon Association, International Paper is proud of its support and participation in the association. The NWA provides both outstanding leadership in the produce category and great opportunities for allied members like IP to interface with the membership of the association, many of which are our customers. Whether it is a product safety issue involving packaging, promotion opportunities, or other industry trends, the NWA provides its membership with real time information for the betterment of the industry. Thanks NWA.”
    Jim Mastropietro – International Paper
  • “The most important thing to me in the NWA is networking with the people who attend and support the industry through their unselfish contributions, year after year, whether through mere attendance, service, donations, ideas, or love of the industry. They are the glue that holds this industry and this Association together, and allows a group to do more positive good than we, as individuals, can do separately. The members, with special emphasis given to board members and officers, committee members, and others willing to sacrifice personal interest for overall industry health and growth, are the backbone of the Association and the industry. That allows us to have a more organized, better, healthy, and growing industry. That is why I support NWA.”
    Anita Field –
    Wabash Valley Growers
  • “The NWA helps any person, Grower, Company, or group that needs help with any segment of the watermelon industry.”
    Tommy Smith –
    Labelle, Florida
  • “From promotions to safety issues to simply bringing us together, and acting as the mouthpiece of all the vital pieces of the American watermelon industry, the National Watermelon Association is a vital and dynamic organization. Nunhems USA recognizes this fact -- which is why we expend significant energy and a large portion of our marketing budget year after year ensuring the highest visibility to the breadth of the NWA: how they touch, and greatly benefit, virtually every segment of the watermelon chain.”
    Travis Estvold -
    Nunhems USA
  • “The NWA is the Strength, Heart, and Soul of the Watermelon Industry. Through the voluntary effort of networking together, growers, shippers, and associates continue to keep Watermelon at the forefront of the produce industry insuring infrastructure from Farm to Consumer.”
    Greg Leger –
    Leger & Son
  • “During the 2012 season there was an outbreak of salmonella in cantaloupe in southern Indiana close to where watermelons were being shipped. The information that NWA was able to obtain and quickly got out to its members allowed us to be proactive with our customers and helped us to keep shipping.”
    Chris Bloebaum –
    Delta Fresh Sales
  • “Without the NWA, I wouldn't be known in the NASCAR world as "Melon". This seemingly meaningless nickname has enabled us to capture a much larger audience's attention than the average racer with the average sponsor.
    "Watermelons" and "NASCAR" were not associated with each other in the past. Well, together we are changing that. With help from the NWA, we are putting watermelons on the forefront of NASCAR fans’ minds across the country and Canada.
    When fans see me at a NASCAR race, they don't have to look very far to see watermelons, and of course a watermelon queen. The queen program is another advantage that we utilize to put watermelons on the top of NASCAR fans’ weekly grocery lists.”
    Ross Chastain –
    NASCAR Driver
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Committee Meeting Minutes
 
 

NWA 2014 Committees

NWA OFFICERS
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
LIFETIME COUNCIL
STATE CHAPTER PRESIDENTS
AUCTION LOAD COMMITTEE
COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE
BUDGET COMMITTEE
FOOD SAFETY COMMITTEE
NOMINATING COMMITTEE
NWA/NWPB LIAISON COMMITTEE
PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT RESEARCH COMMITTEE
QUEEN COMMITTEE
YOUNG AG COMMITTEE
CONVENTION COMMITTEE

NWA OFFICERS

John Corsaro, Chairman
Don Hiller, President
Dennis Mouzin, 1st Vice-President
Chandler Mack, 2nd Vice-President
Bob Morrissey, Executive Director

The NWA governing body, known as the Executive Committee, is made up of the Officers, Executive Committee, Executive Council, Lifetime Council and Chapter Presidents.

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EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Adam Lytch Greg Long Mark Collins
Arthur Saikhon Hamilton Dicks Paul Nuzzo
Billy Smith Jesus Lopez Ramon Murillo
Bob Gibson Jim Ayoob Ray Vincent
Bob Rawlins Jim Mastropietro Rich Novak
Brad Johnston Jim Schmidt Richard Wocjiak
Brent Harrison Jim Zaferis Ricky Tucker
Carrie Smith John Gee Ron Perry
Chris Bloebaum John Lapide Steve Nichols
Dan Thomas Mark Browning TJ Runyan
Dan Van Groningen   Wayde Kirschenman

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EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

Al Wroten Craig Mathis Kenny Frey
Anita Field Doug Dickerson Matt Dietz
Art Perry Doyle Bennett Michael Bunch
Bobby Dietz Greg Leger Nowell Borders
Bradley O’Neal Herman Sanchez Paul Teague
Brent Jackson Jim Zaferis Thomas Vincent
Buster Savioli Jody Land Tommy Smith
Carr Hussey Kelly Marinaro  

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LIFETIME COUNCIL

Arnold Mack Gerald Mann Percy Bunch
Bruce Price Gordon Etheridge Phil Turner
Charlie Lankford Hugh Lightsey Ray Gilliland
C.M."Buddy" Leger Joe Marinaro Raymon J Land
Donald Hales Mary Beth Welby William Toadvine

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STATE CHAPTER PRESIDENTS

Mike Horrall President ILL
Jim Barfield President FL
Jay Jones President AL
Rich Chastain President GA
Will Hales President MARDEL
Mark Dickerson President TX
Dennis Harrell President NC
Angela Chappell President SC
Tashi Zouras President WWA

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AUCTION LOAD COMMITTEE

Adam Lytch Hamilton Dicks III Paul Teague
Al Wroten Greg Leger Phil Turner
Anita Field Jay Rider Mark Collins
Arnold Mack - Chair Jesus Lopez Raymond Land
Art Perry Jim Ayoob Ray Gilliland
Arthur Saikhon Jimmy Henderson Ray Vincent
Billy Smith Jim Mastropietro Ramon Murillo
Bob Gibson Jim Schmidt Ricky Tucker
Bob Rawlins Greg Long Rich Novak
Brad Johnston Jim Zaferis (NCFS) Nowell Borders
Bradley O’Neal Jody Land Ron Perry
Brent Harrison John Gee Steve Nichols
Carr Hussey John Lapide - Co-Vice Chair Tashi Zouras
Carrie Smith John Corsaro - Co-Vice Chair Tommy Smith
Chandler Mack Kelly Marinaro Tom Vincent
Chris Bloebaum Mark Browning Wayde Kirschenman
Craig Mathis Don Hiller Dan Van Groningen
Dan Thomas Paul Nuzzo TJ Runyan
Dennis Mouzin  

The purpose of the auction committee is to define donated watermelon loads and watermelon-related items for the annual NWA auction, and support NWA staff throughout the season when needed to resolve any issues.

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COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE

Carrie Smith Jean Marinaro Josh Bailey
Brent Harrison Jamey Adams Ramon Murillo
Rich Novak - Chair Craig Mathis Ricky Tucker
Bradley O’Neal John Lapide  

The responsibilities of the communications committee include advising and approving of The Vineline magazine, Off The Vine newsletter, and NWA web site.

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BUDGET COMMITTEE

John Corsaro Chris Bloebaum Steve Nichols
Al Wroten

Don Hiller - Chair

John Gee

Anita Field

Greg Leger

John Lapide

Arnold Mack

Hamilton Dicks

Richard Wojciak

Carrie Smith Jim Schmidt Ron Perry
Chandler Mack Rich Novak

 

The purpose of the budget committee is to provide oversight of the financials and financial reporting of the NWA, and working with NWA staff to develop and recommend an annual budget to the Executive Committee at every fall board meeting.

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FOOD SAFETY COMMITTEE

Adam Lytch Josh Bailey Paul Teague
Al Wroten Greg Long Ramon Murillo
Anita Field Greg Leger Mark Collins
Art Perry Jim Smith Mark Browning
Billy Smith Jim Schmidt Paul Nuzzo
Brad Toney Jim Zaferis (NCFS) Rich Chastain
Bradley O'Neal - Chair John Gee Ricky Tucker
Brent Harrison Johnny Raiford Ron Perry
Brent Jackson John Lapide Tom Horrall
Brian Arrigo Hamilton Dicks Tommy Smith
Carr Hussey Lee Wroten Stephen Nichols
Carrie Thomas Don Hiller TJ Runyan
Chandler Mack Jimmy Henderson Wayde Kirschenman
Dan Thomas Mark Paulk Will Hinson
Dennis Mouzin Mike Horrall  

The purpose of the food safety committee is to provide oversight, input and support to NWA for industry needs related to food safety concerns, initiatives and programs.

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NOMINATING COMMITTEE

Jim Schmidt Al Wroten Jody Land
Anita Field Donald Hales John Lapide
Arnold Mack Buddy Leger John Corsaro - Chair
Bradley O’Neal Gerald Mann Tommy Smith
Brent Harrison Greg Leger Nowell Borders
Brent Jackson Jim Zaferis Percy Bunch
Bruce Price Raymon Land Don Hiller

The purpose of the nominations committee is to recommend members of the Executive Committee and Officers to the membership.

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NWA/NWPB LIAISON COMMITTEE

Buddy Leger - Chair

Dan Thomas Josh Bailey
Arnold Mack - V-Chair Dennis Mouzin John Gee
Al Wroten Don Hiller Kelly Marinaro
Anita Field Greg Leger Mark Collins
John Lapide Hamilton Dicks Nowell Borders
Art Perry Jesus Lopez Paul Teague
Bradley O'Neal

Jim Schmidt

Rich Chastain

Brent Harrison

Jim Zaferis (NCFS)

Ron Perry

Chandler Mack

John Corsaro Steve Nichols

The NWA/NWPB Liaison Committee is responsible to facilitate communication and partnerships (where applicable) between both of the industry's organizations.

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PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

Greg Leger - Chair Josh Bailey Louise O’Neal

Adam Lytch

Don Hiller Mark Browning

Al Wroten

Dennis Mouzin Mark Collins
Angela O’Neal Greg Long Mike Horrall
Anita Field Hamilton Dicks Ricky Tucker
Art Perry John Lapide Ron Perry
Arnold Mack Jimmy Henderson Paul Teague
Wayde Kirschenman Jim Schmidt

Rich Chastain

Bradley O’Neal Jim Zaferis Richard Wojciak
Brent Harrison John Corsaro Lee Wroten
Brent Jackson John Gee Steve Nichols
Charles Hall Buddy Leger  

The purpose of the Public Affairs Committee is to be aware of issues that may affect the association and industry by our federal government, to support the lobbying efforts of the NWA, and to promote interaction between NWA members and their Congressional representatives and Senators.

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RESEARCH COMMITTEE

Paul Teague - Chair Dan Thomas Mark Collins
Al Wroten Dennis Mouzin Paul Sawyer
Arthur Saikhon Don Hiller Richard Wojciak
Bradley O’Neal Greg Leger

Ricky Tucker

Brent Harrison Greg Long Steve Nichols
Carrie Smith

Jamey Adams

Tashi Zouras
Chandler Mack Jim Schmidt Lee Wroten
Craig Mathis John Lapide  
Dan Van Groningen Hamilton Dicks  

The purpose of the research & development committee is to define the research priorities of the NWA, and which projects (grants) will be issued as a result.

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PROMOTIONS (QUEEN) COMMITTEE

Dennis Mouzin Chandler Mack - Chair John Lapide
Don Hiller

John Gee

Kelly Marinaro
Al Wroten Cheryl Hicks Louise O’Neal
Anita Field Greg Leger Mark Collins
Arnold Mack Francis Bunch Carrie Thomas
Billy Smith Harry Vaughn Ranell Borders

Bob Gibson

Jean Marinaro Susan Harrison
Brent Harrison Jim Schmidt John Corsaro

Non-Voting Members ---- Chapter Promotion Coordinators

The purposes of the queen committee are to develop recommendations that are supportive of the national queen program and annual competition, select the judges for the national competition, and help to define promotions for the National Queen program.

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YOUNG AG COMMITTEE

Al Wroten John Lapide Jim Mastropietro
Bob Gibson Rich Novak Jim Schmidt
Brent Harrison Don Hiller - Chair Bradley O’Neal

The purpose of the Young Ag Committee is to review and evaluate the applications and specifics for each year's competition, and select the winner.

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CONVENTION COMMITTEE

Adam Lytch Dennis Mouzin John Corsaro

Anita Field

Jamey Adams John Lapide
Bob Gibson Jay Jones Josh Bailey
Brent Harrison Jim Mastropietro Paul Teague
Chandler Mack Jim Schmidt Ricky Tucker
Don Hiller - Chair    

The purposes of the convention committee are to review the city information, hotel proposals and NWA staff recommendations for future NWA conventions, recommend the city to hold the future convention to the NWA Executive Committee, select the host property, and advise NWA staff on future conventions.

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Past Presidents of the NWA in attendance at Savannah 2014

Past Presidents of the NWA in attendance at Savannah 2014
 

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