Secretary Johanns Makes NSIIC Appointments

January 6, 2006 -- Secretary Mike Johanns announced the appointments of Paul Lewis (Ore.), Chase Hibbard (Mont.) and Tim Turner (Texas) to serve as members of the National Sheep Industry Improvement Center (NSIIC) Board of Directors.

Lewis and Hibbard were reappointed to serve in positions reserved for those with expertise in finance and management. Turner is a new member to the board and will serve in the ?active producer? position that is currently held by Glen Fisher of Sonora, Texas. Fisher was eligible for re-appointment but chose not to have his name put forward as a nominee in 2006. 

?We are pleased that the Secretary selected all three of the nominees that the American Sheep Industry Association (ASI) proposed,? stated Paul Frischknecht, ASI president. ?We look forward to working with these members on future projects.?

NSIIC is managed by this Board of Directors that is appointed by, and reports to the Secretary of Agriculture. The board consists of seven voting members chosen from the sheep and goat industries and the respective Under Secretaries for Rural Development and Research, Education and Economics who serve as non-voting members.

Reprint of Press Release Issued By NSIIC