Namedropper 12-2-12
George Gatley
George Gatley, longtime farm news broadcaster, recently was inducted into the National Association of Farm Broadcasting Hall of Fame, one of two to be honored this year during the organization's 69th annual convention in Kansas City, Mo.
While serving as a Boy Scout executive, Gatley began doing radio shows in the late 1950s in Virginia. Having “caught the bug,” he became a co-owner of a radio station and began adding farm news and markets to his news segments. Since 1979, he has been the voice of the Western Agri-Radio Networks, based in Yuma, providing programming to affiliates in Arizona, California and Texas. He also produced ranch television programs for more than 20 years and write articles for a bimonthly farm magazine.
Gatley was instrumental in establishing the NAFB News Service and was named Western Region Farm Broadcaster of the Year.
Anna Vargas-Hopper
Anna Vargas-Hopper of Yuma received an Agency Affiliation award for reaching an important milestone as an exclusive Allstate Insurance agency owner. Vargas-Hopper is celebrating 15 years of helping area residents protect their property and prepare for the future through her office at 3939 S. Avenue 3E, Suite 111.
Vargas-Hopper provides auto, home, life and commercial insurance, as well as a variety of financial products to Yuma residents. She can be reached at 314-4155.
Vic Smith
Vic Smith, a Yuma agribusinessman, was named vice chairman of the Western Growers board of directors during the organization's 87th annual meeting in November.
Smith is president and CEO of JV Smith Companies.
Other new officers include chairman Stephen J. Barnard, president and CEO of Mission Produce Inc.; Mark Teixeira of Teixeira Farms as treasurer; and John Manfre of Capurro and Sons as secretary.
Since 1926, Western Growers has represented local and regional family farmers in Arizona and California, who provide half the nation's fresh fruits and vegetables.
Samuel Colton
Arizona Western College faculty member Samuel Colton recently traveled to Madrid to participate and present at the Spanish Welding Association International Conference on Welding and at the Lincoln Electric Distribution Center Open House. He also did a presentation and demonstration at the Juan de Herrera welding school in Valladolid, Spain.
Colton is the AWC welding professor and coordinator of the Technical Instructional Department.
The paper he presented, “Meeting the Challenge: Welding Education Strategy for Winning in a Global Economy,” conveyed the specific welding education model at AWC, which has enjoyed considerable success for students during the past 45 years.
His trip to Spain was facilitated by Charles Vega Schmidt, a welding engineer whom Colton met in Peru during one of his many travels as the founder of Welders Without Borders. Schmidt, who now resides in Spain, acted as host to Colton.
