Northwest Horticultural Council

Staff

	MARK POWERS President Mr. Powers accepted employment with the Northwest Horticultural Council in 1999.  He is a graduate of Grinnell College (Iowa) with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish and environmental studies and a Master of International Management from The American Graduate School of International Management (Arizona).
	Boards and committees: Agricultural Technical Advisory Committee (ATAC) for Trade in Fruits and Vegetables (chairman); Center for Produce Safety (Treasurer); Coalition to Promote U.S. Agricultural Exports; Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance – Steering Committee; Tree-Fruit Technical Advisory Council (secretary); United Fresh Produce Association’s Government Relations Council; U.S. Apple Association’s Government Affairs Committee; and Washington State Department of Agriculture’s International Marketing Advisory Committee
	KATE TYNAN Senior Vice President In January 2015, Kate Tynan started work for the Northwest Horticultural Council.  Mrs. Tynan graduated from American University (Washington, D.C.) in 2005 with Bachelor of Arts degrees in political science and print journalism.
	Boards and committees: Alliance for Food and Farming (Chairwoman); Alliance for Food and Farming Communications Committee; National Council of Agricultural Employers; The North American Trade Committee of the Canadian Produce Marketing Association; United States Apple Association’s Food Safety Committee and Crisis Communications Subcommittee; and United Fresh Produce Association’s Food Safety & Technology Council
	DAVID EPSTEIN Vice President for Scientific Affairs Dr. Epstein joined the Northwest Horticultural Council on July 15, 2019.  He is a graduate of Washington State University, with a Master of Science degree in entomology, and received his Ph.D. in entomology from Michigan State University.
	Boards and committees: Crop Protection Coalition (treasurer);Minor Crop Farmer Alliance; United Fresh Produce Association Organics Committee; USDA/SCRI Stakeholder Advisory Boards for Coordinated Agricultural Projects (Brown Marmorated Stink Bug and Spotted-Wing Drosophila); Western IPM Center Advisory Board
	FRED SCARLETT Vice President for Export Programs Fred Scarlett joined the Northwest Horticultural Council in July 2018.  He is a graduate of Washington State University with a Bachelor of Arts in business administration.
	Boards and committees: Apple Maggot Working Group, Australia Export Program (secretary/treasurer); Washington State Department of Agriculture Fruit & Vegetable Advisory Board
	RILEY BUSHUE Director of Congressional Relations and Export Programs Mr. Bushue joined the Northwest Horticultural Council in October of 2020 after nearly a decade working on agriculture, natural resources, and trade issues in Congress.  He is a graduate of the University of Portland with a Bachelor of Arts in history.
	Boards and committees: Washington Council on International Trade (Advisory Board)
	RHODA BENSON Technical Issues Specialist Rhoda Benson joined the Northwest Horticultural Council in October 2020.  She is a graduate of California Polytechnic State University (San Luis Obispo, California) with a Bachelor of Science in agricultural engineering and Lincoln University (New Zealand) with a Bachelor of Commerce.
	ROBERTA NOEL Office Manager Roberta Noel joined the Northwest Horticultural Council in January 2014 and provides administrative and secretarial support to the staff.  Ms. Noel is a graduate of Central Washington University, with a Bachelor of Science degree in nutrition and food science.
	STACEY POWELL Assistant Office Manager Stacey Powell joined the Northwest Horticultural Council in July of 2018.  Mrs. Powell was previously employed by the Northwest Fruit Exporters and has over twenty years of experience in accounting services.

09/03/20