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Awards for Departmental Alumni

Anastassios Haniotis

Dr. Anastassios “Tassos” Haniotis was selected to receive the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Alumni Association’s 2006 Award of Excellence. He was awarded the J. W. Fanning Distinguished Professional Award in January 2005 by the Agricultural Economics Association of Georgia in recognition of his outstanding achievements.

Dr. Haniotis is the Head of Unit, Agricultural Trade Policy Analysis, Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development of the European Commission. Prior to this appointment, he served as the Deputy Head of the Cabinet of Dr. Franz Fischler, European Union Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development and Fisheries. In that position, he dealt with international affairs, including external relations, trade and development. He had responsibilities in the area of international relations of agriculture, with priorities in the context of the World Trade Organization (WTO) negotiations and the European Union–Mercosur negotiations. He was also involved with follow-up of the last stages of European Union enlargement and all other international issues related to agriculture. Dr. Haniotis has had a remarkable career, moving up the ladder from the position of analyst into the realm of high policy making. Maintaining a strong interest in analytical economics, he has been able to inject strong economic thinking into actual policy making. Dr. Haniotis' role in the design of Commissioner Fischler's proposal for the latest round of reforms resulted in the European Union's implementing the most sweeping reform in the history of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).

Dr. Haniotis received a B.A. from Athens Graduate School of economics and business in Athens, Greece in 1980. He worked as a research associate at the Institute of Economic and Industrial Research (IOBE), Athens, Greece while taking classes. He then worked as a graduate research assistant in the Department of Agricultural Economics at the University of Georgia while pursuing his graduate degrees. He received an M.S. in 1984 and a Ph.D. in 1987 in agricultural economics both from the University of Georgia. He was selected as the recipient of the Outstanding Ph.D. Paper Award and as the Outstanding Ph.D. Student in 1987. He also worked as a temporary instructor in the department until 1988 when he moved to London to accept a position as a visiting fellow for the Centre for European Agricultural Studies, Wye College, University of London.

In 1989, after completing his work in London, Dr. Haniotis joined the office of the European Commission, Directorate-General for Agriculture, as Administrator in the Market Unit of Processed Fruit and Vegetables. His main task was the preparation of a report on the functioning of the market regime for dried grapes, with reform proposals. The reform of the sector was agreed to by July 1990 and included the first implementation of an aid per area differentiated by yield characteristics in the history of the CAP. He was then promoted within that organization to Administrator in the Unit of Quantitative Analysis and Forecasts with primary responsibilities for the development of medium-term forecasts for European Union (EU) agriculture and development and maintenance of partial equilibrium models covering various sectors of EU agriculture, including meat demand, beef supply, arable crops, cereal food and feed demand. Results of his model provided the input to the OECD annual Outlook for Agricultural Commodities. In addition, model results were used to evaluate the compatibility of the 1992 CAP - Reform with respect to the EU's World Trade Organization (WTO ) commitments, to evaluate alternative policy scenarios for reform proposals, and to provide benchmarks for comparing results of external models of EU agriculture. His duties also included his acting as a representative of the European Commission in the informal World Outlook Group, coordinated by the OECD Secretariat, which included participants from the USDA, Agriculture and Agrifood Canada, ABARE, the Japanese MAFF, and representatives from the FAO, FAPRI and the University of Bonn. The purpose of the World Outlook Group, which meets annually, is to informally exchange views and information that would shed light on assumptions, modeling techniques and results of analyses of the world outlook in agricultural markets. Part of this activity resulted in 1995 in a report on the World Outlook in cereal markets which identified as the main cause of the price hike of the mid nineties, supply rather than demand factors.

In 1996, Dr. Haniotis accepted a position as Agricultural Counselor, European Commission Delegation to the U.S. His responsibilities covered three main areas – liaison with the U.S. administration on issues related to agricultural trade, representation of the EU's position on agricultural and food safety issues, and monitoring and analysis of EU agricultural developments. The responsibilities in trade involved extensive contacts with USDA and USTR on trade and policy issues as wide as the EU – U.S. veterinary or wine negotiations, regulatory development in agricultural applications of biotechnology, EU – U.S. trade disputes on bananas, beef hormones, or wheat gluten, and other bilateral agricultural trade issues. The responsibilities in food safety involved contacts with most U.S. commodity and agribusiness groups in Washington, D.C., and over 70 speaking engagements with a wide range of audiences. The responsibilities in agricultural development covered monitoring and analysis of agricultural policies and agricultural market issues of U.S. agriculture, either in the form of reports to the European Commission or in the form of a more regular (quarterly) AG-monitor, a publication distributed within the European Commission and member-states.

Dr. Haniotis was then offered a position as a Member of the Cabinet of Dr. Franz Fischler, European Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development and Fisheries. In that role, he served as an advisor to the Commissioner with areas of responsibilities for Common Market Organizations (commodity programs) of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), the EU's budget, the Agricultural Council, and relationships with farm and agribusiness organizations. The main responsibility during this period was related to the preparatory work of the mid-term review of the CAP (presented in June 2002) which resulted in legislative proposals and the subsequent CAP reform of June 2003. These responsibilities included the coordination of the relationship between the Cabinet and relative services of the Directorate General of Agriculture from the early stages of the preparation of options to the final stage of the reform proposals and their adoption. In addition to the internal preparatory work, responsibilities covered the public explanation of the Commission proposals to member-states, farm organizations or the wider public and included over 50 speaking engagements with a wide range of audiences.

After the greater part of the latest CAP reform was completed, Dr. Haniotis was promoted to Deputy Head of the Cabinet of Dr. Franz Fischler, European Union Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development and Fisheries. In addition to his responsibilities involving international relations of agriculture and EU enlargement, an important part of Dr. Haniotis' work involved accompanying the Commissioner to major international meetings, such as the WTO Ministerial Meeting in Cancun, the World Food Summit, and major trips in numerous countries, including the United States and Latin America.

In the words of the European Union Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development and Fisheries, Dr. Franz Fischler, "To sum up, Tassos is a striking combination of intellectual, organizational and human skills, with first class judgment, a positive, optimistic attitude and cooperative spirit, and a realistic sense of self-worth."

Emily Howard Watson was chosen to receive the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Alumni Association’s 2006 Young Alumni Achievement Award. The award will be presented at the 52nd Annual CAES Alumni Association Awards Banquet in September. Emily was the recipient of the 2005 J. W. Fanning Distinguished Young Professional Award presented by the Agricultural Economics Association of Georgia.

Emily is currently holding two positions for Congressman Jack Kingston – she is a district representative and an agriculture liaison. Recently married, she and her husband are living in Moultrie while Emily sets up the congressman’s Valdosta office. While working as a Legislative Director in Congressman Kingston’s Washington, D.C. office, Emily proved her capabilities and reliability to such a degree that she was entrusted with these new assignments. The district she represents covers 10 counties in the western portion of Congressman Kingston’s district. For this position, she attends events and meetings on behalf of the congressman and keeps him apprised of the needs and related issues at the local level. As an agriculture liaison, Emily covers the entire first district which is comprised of 29 counties. Whenever farmers have problems with a federal agency or need assistance, Emily helps them “wade through the governmental red tape” and searches for answers to their problems. Recognizing that agricultural producers have much at stake, Emily is conscientious about relaying their concerns to the congressman and assists him in making informed policy decisions that are beneficial to the agricultural industry in South Georgia.

Since Congressman Kingston serves as a member of the House Agriculture Appropriations Committee which allocates funds to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, his office receives numerous requests each year for funding of agricultural projects in Georgia. Emily assists the congressman and his Washington staff in compiling these requests and acquiring funding for Georgia agriculture whenever possible.

While her job title and some of her duties have changed from her position in Washington, Emily’s goals are still the same – to serve Georgia farmers and the state’s agricultural industry. While in Washington, Emily’s work focused on agriculture, natural resources, trade, and immigration issues. She was responsible for all member committee work for the Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee, including preparations for hearings and working closely with subcommittee staff. She also managed appropriations requests for Agriculture, Interior, and Housing and Urban Development Committees.

After growing up on a dairy farm in Morgan County, Emily considers her adjustment to life in Washington, D.C. to have been quite an accomplishment. She has spent more than three years on Congressman Kingston’s legislative staff, and during that time, she has had the opportunity to actively work on many agricultural issues that are important to Georgia farmers and the state’s economy. Knowing that the work she is doing is benefitting an industry “so near to her heart” gives her a great feeling of accomplishment.

Emily received a B.S.A. in agribusiness from the University of Georgia in 2002. She enjoyed a rich, full college career as a member of the AGHON Honor Society, Alpha Zeta – Agriculture Honor Fraternity, and Brass Gavel Leadership Society. She was selected as the 2002-2003 Pandora Yearbook Outstanding Senior Leader, and a Leadership UGA participant. Emily also received the Block and Bridle Workhorse Award. Her leadership abilities were called upon as she served as a representative, president, and treasurer of the Ag Hill Council, president of the Agricultural and Environmental Economics Club and vice-president for Agribusiness majors, Ticket Chairman for the Great Southland Stampede Rodeo, and Social Chair of the Alpha Gamma Delta Sorority. She was a member of Collegiate 4-H and the UGA Cattlemen’s Association, and she was chosen as the Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity Sweetheart.

Participation in various organizations on campus and leadership roles in several of them have contributed positively to Emily’s professional career. By being involved in these college organizations, she met agriculture industry leaders whom she still calls upon today for assistance and advice. Through her involvement in these organizations, Emily learned how to meet new people, and interviewing, public speaking and organizational skills. One of the requirements for her major was that she complete an internship. Emily spent a summer before graduation in Washington, interning in Congressman Kingston’s Office. This experience confirmed her career goals, and her outstanding job performance opened the door for her current position.

Since Emily grew up in a small town, Athens was overwhelming to her at first; but she made an effort to join several organizations on South Campus so that she could meet new people. After this, the college didn’t seem quite so large to her. Emily advocates the idea that there is more to college than just classes. She believes students will gain much more from their college experiences by getting involved in a number of activities that are available. While in college, Emily took a Maymester class with Dr. Ames and Dr. Houston, spending two weeks in Xalapa, Mexico learning about international agriculture. Since agriculture and trade are so closely related, her study abroad experience has been beneficial in her career as Congress considers trade agreements with an impact on agriculture.

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Student News

Cade Bennett

Cade Bennett, a fourth year agribusiness major from Nunez, Georgia, served as an intern in Congressman Jack Kingston’s office in Washington, D.C. for twelve weeks during the summer of 2006. His duties as an intern included researching agricultural and other types of legislation that had a direct impact on the state of Georgia. He provided knowledge of complex, technical agricultural issues to the Congressman from experts and personal experience and communicated directly with constituent and industry representatives on agricultural issues. In addition, he dealt with applications for agricultural appropriations from Georgia entities.

During his leisure time in Washington, Cade did quite of bit of sightseeing, including a visit to Gettysburg. He also met some well-know people and celebrities, including Donald Rumsfeld, Margaret Spellings, Ben Stein, Cher and numerous Congressmen and Senators. Cade stated, “This internship was one of the best experiences of my life. Upon graduating from UGA, I can sit down with the book of business cards I got in Washington and call every one with a job offer on the back to see where I want to go.” Cade's career plans are dedicated to Georgia agriculture, and he is especially interested in the bio-fuels industry.

Cade is active in a number of organizations, including the Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity, Agronomy Club, Agricultural and Environmental Economics Club, Brass Gavel Honor Society and UGA Collegiate Cattlemen’s Association. He is also serving as an Ag Hill Council Representative.

In addition to a busy college career, Cade is already a proven entrepreneur. He is the owner and operator of Bennett Cotton Scouts, a full service cotton and peanut crop consulting firm. His firm services farmers in Emanuel, Treutlen, Jenkins, Burke and Jefferson Counties with cotton and peanut scouting and soil sampling. Additionally, his firm will soon offer GPS mapping. He remarked, “I enjoy the life of an agriculturalist through my crop consulting business.”

Cade is an avid hunter and fisherman. He is an active member of the Nunez Baptist Church, Emanuel County Young Farmers Association, Emanuel County Sportsman Club and a volunteer at Herington Homestead, a Georgia Sheriffs’ Association youth home.

Elizabeth “Izzy” Hill

Izzy Hill is an M.S. environmental economics major from Greensboro, North Carolina. She received a B.S. in applied economics and a B.S. in marketing from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She has been at UGA for one year.

Izzy is currently serving as president of the Graduate Student Association and is involved in Bike Athens and Athens Grow Green. After obtaining her M.S., she plans to conduct research involving environmental resources.

In her leisure time, Izzy likes to read, play music, bike, hike and camp. She also enjoys the music and cultural arts in Athens.

Orion Stavre

Orion Stavre is an M. S. student majoring in agricultural economics with a concentration in international business and finance. He is originally from Korca, Albania, but has lived in Athens since 2002 and obtained a B.S.A in agricultural economics from the University of Georgia in 2005. Prior to moving to Athens, Orion received an Associate of Sciences degree in agribusiness management from the American Farm School, Dimitris Perroties, in Thessalonika, Greece in 2002. An excellent student, he has been on the Dean’s List and President’s List, both in Greece and at UGA. He was the recipient of the Roy Estes Proctor Scholarship.

Orion’s extracurricular activities include serving as treasurer of the Graduate Student Association. For the past four summers, he has worked as a mentor and counselor for UGA’s Upward Bound Program, which promotes educational opportunities primarily among academically capable low-income and first-generation college students. He also worked as a tutor from 2003-2005. In Albania, Orion played volleyball from 1989 through 1999. From 1997 through 1999, he played professionally for “Skenderbeu” team of Korca.

Orian currently works as a graduate student researcher in the department. In the past, he worked as a student assistant at UGA’s Poultry Science Department and as an assistant manager of the swine farm and dorm and resident supervisor at the American Farm School in Thessalonika, Greece. He is fluent in four languages – Albanian, Greek, Italian and English.

After completing his education, which includes getting some experience and training in the private sector and international markets and obtaining a Ph.D., Orion plans to work for an international organization such as the World Trade Organization (WTO) or the World Bank performing research and being involved in free trade agreement negotiations between countries.

In his leisure time, Orion likes to read, play sports, including volleyball and soccer, and watch movies. He also enjoys socializing and meeting new people at receptions, gatherings and social events organized by businesses in downtown Athens and various clubs.

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Alumni News

David Harris is president of the newly formed company, Glover-Auten Foods. David’s company, Glover Wholesale of Americus, Georgia, purchased Auten Poultry and Food Service which is based in Columbus, Georgia. The new company will operate as Glover-Auten Foods in Columbus and Glover Foods in Americus. This merger places the newly formed company as one of the Southeast’s top independent food service distribution companies with over 4,000 customers in six states. The company will service daycare centers, grocery stores, restaurants and schools.

In the past, the two separate companies covered much of the same territory and serviced many of the same customers. The merger is expected to eliminate the overlap and should result in substantial savings for the new company in delivery costs. David stated, “By combining the two companies, we will be able to offer the complete line of products that most customers need from a food service distributor.”

David graduated from the University of Georgia with a B.S.A. in agricultural economics in 1993. While in college, he was a member of the Kappa Alpha Order. David used his time at the University of Georgia to network. Many of his employees and business partners are directly connected to his networking at the university.

David offers this advice to current students at the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics: “If you are going to do business in Georgia (or the Southeast), then you simply have to meet friends and classmates while you are in Athens. Gain experience while in school. Use breaks or take time off to co-op or intern at businesses in Georgia or at home. When I hire, I look for experience, communication skills, and attitude. Then I look at GPA. Graduates should go to their first serious job ready to work. Once you start, you have started for life. So go ‘play’ or see the world prior to starting a career. The business world can be lots of fun, but employers are looking for people ready to perform.”

Bryan Tolar is Vice President of Public Affairs for the Georgia Agribusiness Council. His duties include dealing with government affairs, legislative and regulatory monitoring, being an advocate for agribusiness and agricultural interests, agriculture education promotion and membership recruitment. He has been recognized with awards from several agriculture organizations for advocating legislation and voluntary programs for agriculture and agribusiness.

Bryan recieved a BSA in agribusiness from the University of Georgia in 1992. While in college, he was on the Dean’s List and served as a student organizer for the Georgia Agribusiness Council Student Chapter. He was also a member of the Agricultural and Environmental Economics Club.

Bryan states, “I did not grow up on a farm or in a community that was primarily agricultural, so I learned from the experiences of other students and was fortunate to have formed a friendship with Gary Black at the Georgia Agribusiness Council. Gary helped start a student chapter that brought agribusiness professionals to campus to meet with students to discuss career opportunities.” Bryan offers these thoughts for consideration by current students in the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics: “Internships are a critical learning experience for career development. Dedicating yourself to learn from others in a professional work environment is a very rewarding experience.”

In his leisure time, Bryan enjoys golf, home remodeling and leisure travel with his wife. He considers “being married for 12 years to a wonderful woman who is understanding of the need for travel and odd hours in his chosen career” to be his greatest accomplishment since college graduation.

Tony Waller is the new assistant dean for career services at the University of Illinois College of Law. He has recently been elected to the board of directors for the National Association for Law Placement (NALP), which is a nonprofit educational association dedicated to facilitating legal career counseling and planning, recruitment and retention, and the professional development of law students and lawyers. For the past six years, Tony served as the associate director of legal career services at the University of Georgia School of Law.

Tony received a BSA in agricultural economics in 1990 from the University of Georgia (UGA) and a JD from the UGA School of Law in 1993. While in college, he served as president of the Ag Hill Council, VNR-Recruitment for Alpha Gamma Rho, a National Student Board Representative for Alpha Zeta, and a Dean’s Ambassador for the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES). He was a member of NAMA, voted Outstanding Senior in CAES, the Pandora Outstanding Senior Leader and a member of Leadership UGA.

While in college, Tony “discovered learning as a way of life, not just a means to an end.” This simple principle has been very helpful in his professional career. He offers this advice to current students in the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics: “Don’t let others put you in a box because of what you are studying or where you are from. Become your own success, based on your goals and dreams. Plus, make sure you spend time getting to know people both in CAES and from North Campus. That network will take you far.”

In his leisure time, Tony enjoys softball, golf, fishing, reading and “hanging with his family.”

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