Chairperson:		Shonda Elliott, Motley County
Members:		Karen Williams, Yoakum County
		Kathy Bailes, Throckmorton County
		Fritz Matetzsck, Fort Bend County

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2007 Awards Winners

TASCOE Distinguished Service to FSA/Agriculture Award - PT Terri Klose - Terri started her FSA career in Haskell County in August of 1982. She started in the area of production adjustment assisting the full time staff with the processing data for program payments and helping to keep things filed, up to date, and in the right place. As time progressed she became knowledgeable in other task such as crop certification and price support activities. Before long, a permanent position became open and she accepted it. Like a lot of us, she has grown up with the System 36 and such acronyms as NCA, POP Payments, PFC, and DP and CCP. Terri has been an excellent, hard working, and conscientious person with a goal of doing her job the best she can by serving the agricultural producers of Haskell County. She has earned the respect of fellow employees through out the district and neighboring counties for knowledge of the programs that she administers in Haskell County and is always an asset to the CED in planning for a recent disaster program being implemented, new farm bill, or the next round of the DCP program sign-up, with added ‘Check Sheets’ of course. Terri has been active in TASCOE, serving as a director for a couple of terms as well as being the Scholarship Coordinator. She has assisted the District Director(s) over the years with various training programs and problem spots as they occur though the years as our business progresses to less personnel and yet, another computer. Terri is a very family oriented individual serving her church, the community and agriculture of Haskell County and is a positive asset to the Farm Service Agency network. Terri was nominated by Glenn Brzozowski. Congratulations Terri!

TASCOE Distinguished Service to FSA/Agriculture Award - CED Danny Decker - Danny is the CED for Terry County FSA Office in Brownfield, Texas. He has 35 years of service with FSA. Danny supervises four program technicians and one chief program technician. Terry County has approximately 400,000 acres of land, 1500 farms, and about 900 operators. His leadership qualities are evident on a daily basis, which is shown in the way he goes out of his way to be helpful to all employees and customers. Danny discusses all regulations with his employees in order that each employee will have a clear understanding of all rules. Danny has a wide knowledge of all FSA programs. If any employee is in need of help, he sees to it that they get help or he stops what he is doing, and helps them. He does not make his employees feel inferior in any way. He also conducts business with customers in the same manner. He is a very organized CED, and meets deadlines in a timely manner. This demonstrates his excellent management skills. Awards previously received by Danny are: Quality Increase in 1987, for the excellent service being rendered to the United Stated Department of Agriculture, Certificate of Merit for high quality performance from Oct. 1989 through Sept. 1990, Administrator’s Award for Service to Agriculture in 1991, and a cash award in 2004 for excellence in administering FSA Programs. He has also received numerous letters of appreciation for helping on various task forces and review teams. Danny Decker is a very loyal and dedicated employee to our FSA and Agriculture. Danny was nominated by Sharon Pickett. Congratulations Danny!

TASCOE Distinguished Service to NASCOE/TASCOE Award - CED Ruxton O. Williamson - Rusty began working for ASCS in November, 1978. During Rusty’s career, he has worked in San Patricio, Bailey, Cameron, Live Oak and the shared-management offices of Jackson and Victoria Counties. Rusty has provided CED training as well as a variety of program training to his peers in the Farm Service Agency. He has trained numerous COT’s and served on various task forces for FSA. Rusty’s contribution to TASCOE/NASCOE during the span of his career is of great significance. He has been a faithful association member since the beginning of his employment and he must hold a world record for serving as TASCOE Director since 1986. Rusty is a past TASCOE Vice President, from 1995 to 1996, past President from 1997 to 1998 and during his tenure as President, TASCOE hosted the NASCOE convention in Dallas. Rusty and his group, the Cadiz Cookers, have cooked for attendees at numerous NASCOE conventions as well as both All-South Rallies. Always ready to help out when needed, he has assisted with Scholarship Auctions at TASCOE and NASCOE conventions and helps organize TASCOE conventions when they are hosted in his area. Rusty is nationally renowned for his unique ability, along with his quick wit, for the drawing of door prizes at state conventions. He consistently lives by his belief to represent those by whom he was elected to serve, but most importantly, he possesses the drive and dedication to inform, on a daily basis, county office employees of TASCOE/NASCOE’s purpose, goals, and accomplishments. His passion for this association is rare and genuine. Rusty was nominated by Penny Kelton. Congratulations Rusty!

TASCOE Distinguished Service to NASCOE/TASCOE Award - PT Penny Kelton - Penny has been an active member of TASCOE/NASCOE for 25 years. She served two terms as TASCOE President from 2004-2006, two terms as TASCOE Vice President from 2002-2004, and several years as a TASCOE District Director and reporter. She served as the Membership Chairperson for TASCOE from 2000-2002 in which she directed a very successful membership drive. She currently serves as TASCOE’s Past President. Throughout her leadership activities the past 12 years, she has given tremendous time and effort to improving TASCOE communications and organization, increasing TASCOE membership, and fostering excellent lines of communication with NASCOE leadership. She has always made a concerted effort to put what is best for TASCOE as the first priority, and in doing so, is a significant reason why TASCOE functions as well as it does today. Penny has also served as a PT Counter Skills and PASS Trainer, and was a key player in helping develop those training formats and modules. Her strong leadership both as a Program Technician and a TASCOE Officer makes her an outstanding candidate for recognition. Penny was nominated by Billy Wayne Denison. Congratulations Penny!

TASCOE Distinguished Service to Community Award - CED Jim Bob Solsberry - Jim Bob began his career with FSA in 1971 as a County Office Trainee in Schleicher County. Throughout his career, he has held the CED position in Nolan, Edward, Concho, Schleicher, and Burleson Counties. Recently, Jim Bob retired from our agency from the combined-management office of Reagan-Upton-Irion Counties and the shared-management office of Crockett County. Jim Bob and his wife Jan, are members of the First Baptist Church in Big Lake, Tx, where Jim Bob taught the 5 th and 6 th grade Sunday school class from 1995 through 1997, and the Adult Sunday school class from 2000 through 2005. Jim Bob believes one should give one’s time and talents to the community. Because of his being civic minded and supporting of the agricultural county in which he lives, Jim Bob has served many hours in numerous organizations: President of Reagan County Lions Club in 1995; Chairman of the Lions District Eye-Bank in 1996; Chairman of the Lions District Camp in 1997; President of the Reagan County Chamber of Commerce in 1996, President of the Reagan County Economic Development Board in 1997, served on the Reagan County School Board from 1998 through 2000, and was President of the Dry Lake Drama, Inc. Dinner Theater from 1994 through 2003. He was Co-Founder of Big Lake Helping Hands in 1994 and organized and worked on the Reagan County 4-H Extravaganza Fundraiser from 1993 to 1996. He has been Auctioneer of the Reagan County Livestock Show from 1999 till 2006, and the Master of Ceremonies of Crockett County Deerfest from 2000 through 2006. In 1999, Jim Bob began his own “business on the side” and website as a motivational speaker. Since then, he has addressed over 100 public school districts and 30,000 educators, stressing the importance of the impact educators have on children. He has additionally been guest speaker at various banquets, luncheons, and functions enlightening his audience of agriculture opportunities and his personal insight to a positive attitude in career, at home, and throughout life. Jim Bob was chosen to be a national instructor for CED Management Training due to him being an example of that positive attitude. Jim Bob continues to show his unselfish commitment and loyalty to his Community, Agriculture, FSA, TASCOE/NASCOE, and for his generous and noble gift of countless hours of ideas, inspiration, and involvement. Jim Bob was nominated by Penny Kelton. Congratulations Jim Bob!!

TASCOE Distinguished Service to Community Award – PT Nancy Birkenfeld - Nancy Birkenfeld is currently a Program Technician in the Baylor County FSA Office. She began her career with FSA 18 years ago, and has been a dedicated TASCOE member every since. She is a very active member of her community. She is currently the President of the St. Joseph Catholic Church Pastoral Council, is a member of the St. Joseph Catholic Church Renovation Committee, and she leads the Adult Education Bible Study for the church. Nancy is the Secretary for the City Council for Goree, Texas, where she spends countless hours working on grants. She worked extensively for a Rural Development Grant for the City of Goree, and the City was approved for Sewer Improvement in 2006. She worked diligently for an Office of Community & Rural Affairs Grant for the City of Goree, in which the city was awarded a 2008 Water Improvement Grant and a 2008 City Planning Grant for mapping the Infrastructure of the City of Goree. Nancy continues to improve her community with the offices she holds and, the time and effort she individually gives to each committee. Nancy was nominated by Annette Latham. Congratulations Nancy!

TASCOE Extra Mile Award Joseph P. Wendel - Joseph P. Wendel , Son of Jeannine P. Wendel, Young County CED, is a 2 nd grader attending Open Door Christian School in Graham, TX. He continues to impress the teachers, staff, students, and parents (including his own) on his God-centered, warm and giving heart that is extended to assisting his fellow classmates in their school studies, including speech, chapel, writing, and math. He has gone that “extra mile” in asking to accept punishment for a fellow classmate in the duty of writing extra sentences for the classmate in failing to mind the teacher. Joseph’s gift of kindness at his young 8 years of age is truly showing his pureness of heart and love for his fellow mankind. What great gift in honoring this child then to recognize him for his efforts. He also recently assisted in the collection of over 745 canned foods for the needy , in Graham, Texas for Christmas through this little Christian school. Joseph was nominated by his loving mom, Jeannine P. Wendel. Congratulations Joseph!

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