I am deeply humbled and grateful that you have entrusted your faith in me to serve as the incoming President of our esteemed organization, the National Organization of Professional Black Natural Resources Conservation Service Employees (NOPBNRCSE).

Now more than ever, we need a strong and resilient organization to handle both the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. This position, I understand, will require mending of fences and outreach to our members, nonmembers, retirees, farmers, students, and anyone else who has a shared or vested interest in our organization. The goal is to bring us all together for the primary purpose of strengthening our forces for both individual and collective growth.

In the coming months, my primary focus will be to build a unified strategy to develop our members and prepare them to fill some critical positions within the Natural Resources Conservation Service. I also plan to develop recruitment methods for future hiring, increase personal and professional development opportunities, and expand outreach and education on federal farm programs to our farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners throughout the country.

Furthermore, I want to continue our mission of enhancing the awareness, knowledge and understanding of conservation programs and policy and to improve levels of education and professionalism in order to increase the participation of Black employees in agriculture, natural resources, and related fields.

The tasks ahead will not be easy, and that is why I am thankful to have a team of dedicated leaders in this new administration that will engage and motivate the membership so that we can achieve our desired results together as an organization.

I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to the following incoming NOPBNRCSE Executive Board Elected Officers who have graciously committed to embark on this journey with me (click on each person’s name to read their biography):

• Kasey Taylor, Vice President
• Tim Beard, Treasurer
• Katura Wright, Recording Secretary
• Nicholas Williams, Correspondence Secretary
• Keisha Tatem, Parliamentarian
• Jacqueline Thibodeaux Horne, Historian

We pledge to lead this organization by using the TEAM AG philosophy, when spelled out, includes being Transparent, Engaging, Accountable, and Member And Grower focused. More details surrounding this effort will be provided as we progress in this administration, so stay tuned.

We will begin to move quickly in achieving our immediate task of uniting and engaging our members of this organization and forming ad hoc committees, as required by the current constitution.

In closing, I would like to specifically thank the following: 

• Our outgoing Executive Board for running the affairs of this organization and for holding us together until this very moment;
  
  
• Our Regional Representatives and our Chapter Presidents for being the boots on the ground in regions and states across the country;
  
  
• Our members (annual, life, retirees, and sustaining) who continue to support and believe in this organization and all that it has to offer; 

• Our electoral committee for the excellent job they have done and all outgoing ad hoc committees who took time out of their schedules to add value to the activities of this organization; 
  
  
• Our Historically Black Colleges and Universities liaisons for ensuring that college students participate in our annual meetings; and,
  
  
• Anyone else who has volunteered their services or made a contribution in helping to carry out the mission of this organization.

I look forward to serving as your President, and I am extremely proud to be leading this great organization.

GARRY LEE
NOPBNRCSE President

Garry Lee is the State Conservationist in Michigan and has
36 years experience working with NRCS. Read his full bio here.