Advisory Council
Purpose and Mission
The CAES Advisory Council is a spokesperson for the college to outside organizations, understands the programs of the college and makes recommendations on priorities, and becomes familiar with the college budget process and funding needs in order to ensure the support of the agricultural and environmental needs of the state.
The council seeks stakeholder advice and counsel to ensure that the programs of the college are responsive to the needs of Georgia residents. Its makeup is purposely diverse. The carefully selected, knowledgeable members come from both the smallest communities and largest cities across Georgia and they represent many different commodities, occupations and interest groups.
The council members work closely with college faculty, staff and administrators in reviewing ongoing programs and identifying and planning high-priority future programs. Council members also provide information to Georgia residents about the role of the college in generating and dispensing knowledge and new technology about agriculture, food and the environment.
2024-2026 Advisory Council Members
Ben Worley
Co-Founder and CEO, Spiro Carbon; 2024-26 DAC Chairperson
Brad Arnold
VP, Massey Ferguson North America, AGCO
Adam Graft
Leatherbrook Dairy
Troy Bland
CEO, Bland Farms
Jill Webb
Food Safety, Quality and Regulatory Manager Case Ready, Cargill
Will Bentley
President, Georgia Agribusiness Council
Jeff Harvey
Chief Administrative Officer, Georgia Farm Bureau
Carlton Self
Territory Customer Support Manager, John Deere (also serves as Alumni Association representative)
Freeman Elliott
Retired, Orkin
Lindy Savelle
Owner, Georgia Grown Citrus LLC
Julienne Smith
Chief Development Officer, The Americas, IHG
Karla Thompson
Vice-President, J.E.T. and Integrity Farms
Kevin Touchstone
President, Turf World LLC
Caroline Lewallen
Owner, TexGa Farms
Bucky Cook
UGA Professor and Entrepreneur
Arthur Tripp
Director of Federal Legislative Affairs, Georgia Power
UGA Faculty and Staff:
Nick T. Place, Dean and Director
Dean Kopsell, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
David Buntin, Interim Director, UGA Griffin Campus
Michael Toews, Assistant Dean, UGA Tifton
Arch Smith, Interim Associate Dean for Extension
Harsha Thippareddi, Associate Dean for Research
Regina Fitzpatrick, Director, External Affairs
Cassie Ann Kiggen, Chief Communications Officer
Mary Ann Parsons, Senior Director of Development
Chris Rhodes, Director, Industry Partnerships
Sean Rogers, Senior Director, Finance & Administration
