October 2007
Accolades
Gordon Groover, Extension specialist, agricultural and applied economics, was named the September In the VESA Spotlight Award winner. He is deserving of recognition because of his integrity, dedication, hard work, and the wisdom he has during his nearly 30-year career with VCE. He developed and led an award-winning program to teach Virginia farmers how to use new technology in decision making. He currently is leading the effort to establish and endow the Center for Farm and Agribusiness Management at Virginia Tech. In addition, he is active in charity work, including assisting in post-Hurricane Katrina reconstruction efforts.
Robert Williams, assistant professor, food science and technology, was appointed to a two-year term on the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Specialty Food Advisory Committee. The committee is comprised of 11 members representing retailers and food processors, who will work with and advise VDACS on the marketing and promotion of Virginia’s specialty food industry.
Off campus:
Billie Jean Elmer, 4-H agent, Surry County, was named the July In the VESA Spotlight Award winner. She was honored for developing a strong 4-H program in her area as well as her mentorship and guidance for new agents in her district. In addition, she is a nationally certified CHARACTER COUNTS! instructor and prides herself in teaching the CHARACTER COUNTS! program, training new instructors, and demonstrating its principles in her everyday life.
Lori Puryear, ANR agent, Lunenburg County, was named the August In the VESA Spotlight Award winner. She has maintained the traditional programs that VCE clientele have come to expect and also has conducted a significant amount of new, innovative, and timely programming. Above all, Lori is always willing to help, whether with the planning of an area program or the weather-dependent harvest of one of her client’s crops. As in the last line of the Extension Workers Creed, Lori believes in her work and in the opportunity that she has to make her life useful to mankind.
Bonnie Tazewell, FCS agent, Chesapeake County, was named the June In the VESA Spotlight Award winner for her contributions to VCE over the past 26 years. She is always approachable, friendly, and a team player, networking with other agents and serving on statewide committees. She regularly presents nutrition programs to local government and civic groups, and also is a part of the Disaster Response Team for the City of Chesapeake. 
Carolyn Wiley, administrative assistant, Bedford County, was awarded the college’s Employee of the Month Award for September. Her nominator praised her initiative and proficiency in all she does, and said, “She completes tasks with minimal direction and has on numerous occasions taken the initiative to look for ways to make office operations run more smoothly. An excellent example of her team mindset was her willingness to overhaul the entire record-keeping system for our regional 4-H/FFA livestock show. This duty went beyond her unit responsibilities and demonstrates that Carolyn embraces the team concept of Virginia Cooperative Extension. Carolyn is a valuable asset to the Bedford unit and the wider VCE community.”