Meet the Ag Advisory Council

Jim Manos: Vice Chairman. I am a native Arizonan, graduating from Brophy College Preparatory and Arizona State University, the latter with a degree in Accounting. After passing the CPA exam, I worked in public accounting and then as vice-president of a multi-state homebuilder before finding a real home in agriculture. I first entered agriculture as an accountant for Shamrock Farms and later with Parker Dairy Farms, where I spent 18 years. I am currently the CFO of Hickman’s Family Farms. They say converts have a greater appreciation for their conversion than those born into it and that is how I feel about agriculture. Even though I was raised a city boy, I cannot imagine working in any other field. My wife, Mary Anne, and I have raised four terrific kids, two Lumberjacks and two Sun Devils. Mary Anne has been a teacher at SS. Simon & Jude Catholic School for 20 years. Off duty, we enjoy anything that involves spending time with our family.

Victor Smith: I am a second generation agricultural producer and agri-businessman. Our family operates JV Farms and Skyview Cooling Co. in Yuma. I have been in the Yuma farming community since 1977. We farm green leafy vegetables and work with all the major national companies to provide packaged salads and pre-cut vegetables.Other crops produced include durum wheat, bermuda grass seed and alfalfa. We also work with smaller shipping companies to provide their cooling and distribution facilities. I currently serve on the Board of Directors of Western Growers Association, Irvine, CA and Produce Marketing Association, Newark, DE. In Yuma I currently serve as Chairman of the Board of Trustees for Yuma Regional Medical Center. I attended the University of Colorado 1970-1974, studying economics and business law. My wife, Karen and I have been married for 32 years and have three children- Kyle, Kristen and Clayton.

Dan Graham Bell : I am a third generation rancher and currently president of the ZZ Cattle Corporation of Nogales, Arizona. My family has been working the same piece of country since 1938. Over the years the operation has expanded to approximately 70 sections. I am happily married and have 3 wonderful children. I am a 1994 graduate of the University of Arizona with a degree in Renewable Natural Resources emphasizing in Range Management. I am actively involved in the Cattle Industry and have served in leadership roles for the Southern Arizona Cattlemen’s Protective Association and the Arizona Cattle Growers’ Association, as well as, serving on the Board of Directors for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. On a local level I serve as a Planning and Zoning Commissioner for Santa Cruz County and a Supervisor for the Santa Cruz Natural Resource Conservation District. My background is in agriculture and I am honored to serve on the Arizona Department of Agriculture Advisory Council.

Diann Denise Prechel:Education: Coolidge High School, 1987 University of Arizona 1987-1992 BSBA in Finance BSBA in Personnel Management Work Experience: Cotton & Bailey Farms, Partner/Operator 1993- Present Coolidge, AZ Sparkle Auto Spa, Owner 2004- Present Casa Grande, AZ Keller Williams Realtor 2000- present Prechel Farms, Partner/Operator 1993- 2010 Coolidge, AZ KLC Ranch Coolidge, AZ Developer, Vice President 1998-2005 HOA President 1998-2005 Elizabeth Arden, Assistant Buyer 1994-1995 Phoenix, AZ Sears Telecatalog, Supervisor 1989-1994 Tucson, AZ

Leadership: AZ Cotton Growers Association Director 1999- Present Cotton Museum Manager 2010-present Budget, PR Committees 2000-present Cotton Incorporated AZ Director 2004- Present Vice Chair-Fiber Research 2011- present Executive Committee 2006- Present Chair- Global Marketing 2006- 2010 AZ Dept of Agriculture Advisory Council 2011-present Farm Bureau Board Member 2008-present Women’s Leadership Committee 2009-present Cotton Commodity Committee 2009-present Cotton Board AZ Director Alternate 1998-2003 Project Centrl Leadership Program 1997-1999 Alumni President 2004-2006 ILAC Committee 2009-present National Cotton Council Leadership Program 1999-2000 Casa Grande Cotton Women 1993- Present President 1997 National Cotton Womens Committee Far West Director Alternate 1995-2000 Pinal County FSA Committee Elected Committee Member 1997-2000 Organizations: American Legion Auxillary- Coolidge Elks Lodge- Coolidge

Philip Hemminghaus: Chairman. I am a native Arizonan. I attended the University of Arizona and Mesa Community College where I studied Agri-Business. I started to work for Capitol Nursery Supply in 1981, where I eventfully became an equal partner in that business. In 1987 we merged with Valley Garden supply to become Garden West Distributors. We sold the business to ABT in 1998. In 2002 I was named Branch Manager of Helena Chemical Specialty Location in Phoenix. In 2004 I went to work for Golf Ventures West, a Turf and Chemical Distributor. I am currently General Manager of the Arizona location. We supply equipment, chemicals, tools, and grass seed to the Green Industry in Arizona. We have 11 locations across the United States, with locations in Arizona, Nevada, California, Georgia, Alabama and Florida. My wife Debbie and I live in Maricopa where we have two wonderful children. Nicholas and Madalyn, who both attend college in Arizona. I am a Past President of the Arizona Nursery Association. I currently am on the Board of Directors of the Arizona Nursery Association and the Arizona Nursery Foundation. I also am a member of the Cactus and Pine Golf Course Superintendents Association. I enjoy golfing, bowling and watching my son play ice hockey.

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