Grand President Award Winners Named

Merle G. Flowers, Auburn

Originally from Camden, Tennessee, Merle Flowers received a B.S. in Agricultural Business and Economics from Auburn University in 1991. He went on to earn his Master of Business Education (MBA) degree from the University of Mississippi in 1995.

Merle served as District Manager for United States Congressman Roger Wicker of Mississippi from 1997-2003. He managed congressional operations for 24 counties within the First Congressional District and maintained an office in DeSoto county.

He was elected as a Republican member of the Mississippi Senate on November 4, 2003. He represents the 19th District of Mississippi, comprised of DeSoto County. Merle was also selected to serve as a member of Governor-Elect Haley Barbour's Executive Transition Team.

He serves on the Board of Directors for the Southaven Chamber of Commerce and on the Board of Director for the Phoenix Club, a civic organization dedicated to supporting the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Mid-South. He and his wife, Stacey, reside in Southaven and have two children, Sarah Ann and Jackson.


Doug Griffin, Purdue

Mr. Griffin is originally from a Central Indiana Grain and Livestock farm. He attended Purdue University and obtained a degree in Agricultural Engineering. Upon receiving his degree in 1990, he began working for Caterpillar, Inc. Although Caterpillar is more known for its construction equipment, he began working the agricultural products marketing area. During his tenure at Caterpillar he served in various sales and marketing assignments throughout North America for the Challenger Track Tractor.

In 2002, AGCO acquired the Challenger line of equipment from Caterpillar. At that time, Doug chose to continue his work with the Challenger product and go to work for AGCO Corporation. He now serves as the North American Director of Sales and Marketing for Challenger. In this role, he oversees the marketing of five product lines of Challenger equipment as well as a complete company sales organization covering the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Doug and his wife, Renee, reside in Cumming, Georgia, and have three children, ages seven, four and one. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his family, traveling and woodworking. He is a member of the United Methodist Church.

David Reis, Illinois

Mr. Reis attended the University of Illinois and obtained a B.S. from the College of Agriculture. In 1990 he took over his family farming operation and co-founded JC Co-op.

He has served on the Illinois Pork Producers Association's Board of Directors since 1999 and has been elected to serve as president and vice president/treasurer. He also served on the Illinois Pork PAC's Board of Directors and was selected as a delegate to the inaugural statewide Illinois Ag Assembly, which was hosted by the Illinois Department of Agriculture.
In 2001, Mr. Reis was the recipient of the University of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences Alumni Association's Outstanding Young Alumni Award recognizing outstanding alumni, under the age of forty.

David and his wife Maria reside in Willow Hill, Illinois, with their two children, Nicholas and Adriana. David is involved with the Jasper County Chamber of Commerce, Illinois Pork Producers Association, National Rifle Association, Sons of the American Legion, Jasper County Farm Bureau and his a member of St. Mary's of the Assumption Catholic Church, Ste. Marie, Illinois.
 

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