Agri-Business Council of Oregon Announces
Garey Fritz Elected President

The Agri-Business Council of Oregon (ABC) is proud to announce that Garey Fritz has been elected to serve as President of the 42-year old association. ABC’s mission is to “To Grow Oregon Agriculture through Education and Promotion.”

Fritz, who is vice president and relationships manager for West Coast Bank, has been an ABC Board member since 1999 and is the former chair of the Keeping Ag Viable Committee. Fritz started his agricultural banking career in 1973 with the Farm Credit System, and has been associated with West Coast Bank in his current roll since October 2004.

Fritz received his master’s degree in agricultural education from Montana State University and has completed 28 years of service in the U.S. Army Reserve. He and his wife are the proud parents of a married daughter, and they enjoy traveling to Bend to visit them.

“I am eagerly looking forward to the future of ABC and promoting the Council as a vehicle to educate Oregonian's about our unique agricultural industry while maintaining the quality image of Oregon grown products,” says Fritz.

Filling out the rest of the 2008 ABC Executive Committee is:

1st Vice President – Terry Ross, Pennington Seed
2nd Vice President - Bob Terry, Fisher Farms
Secretary - Elaine Shein, Capital Press
Treasurer – Jack Hay, Hay Ranch
Past President – Mac McCarter, Nursery Guide Marketing

New additions to the ABC Board of Directors include: Chuck Botsford, Hermiston Watermelon Growers; Erica Garren, DLF International Seeds, Inc.; Cristie Mather, Pear Bureau NW; Bill Wilber, SW Angus; and John Zielinski, EZ Orchards Farm Market.

The ABC Board of Directors is made up of 35 of Oregon’s agriculture leaders. The board drives the public education, product promotion and business efficiency programs for the organization. They are supported by a membership of more than nine hundred agricultural organizations and businesses.