Committees
Executive Committee
Functions on behalf of the Board between meetings and makes decisions as needed providing leadership and guidance to the Board of Directors, etc.
Click Here to Link to the Board of Directors and Executive Committee
Finance Committee
Works with the Treasurer and Executive Director reviewing the association’s financial condition and providing recommendations to the Executive Committee and/or the Board as needed. The Executive Committee could also be designated to be the Finance Committee.
Chair:
Dick Minor
Members:
Rich Chastain, Ricky Tucker
Nominating Committee
Reviews open officer and director positions, submitting an annual report to the Board and membership for leadership vacancies that are open.
Chair:
Jamey Adams
Members:
Past Presidents
Promotion Committee
Oversees the promotional activities of the association. Reviews with the Promotions Coordinator the planned activities of the coordinator each quarter and recommends programs and activities for GWA PROMOTIONS.
Members:
Darren Deal, Brad Jones
GWA Marketing Committee
GWA Marketing Committee
Responsible for marketing and communication of GWA programs and activities to the membership, industry and general public.
Chair:
Jordan Carter
Members:
Rachel Syngo, Lee Wroten, Jamey Adams, Mitch Mitchell, Chris Hogg
GWA Modernization of the Queen Program Committee
Chair:
Greg Leger
Members:
Jordan Carter
Rob Gibson
Rachel Syngo
Chris Hogg
Lee Wroten
Membership Committee
Responsible for marketing and soliciting new members for GWA, and overseeing current member retention.
Chair:
Rich Chastain
Members:
Ricky Tucker, Randy Ellis, Craig Mathis, Neal Kicklighter, Johnny Veazey
Research Committee
Chair:
Tucker Price
Members:
Ricky Jackson, Rob Greene
Legislative Committee
Responsible for monitoring and informing the Executive Committee/Board of state and federal legislation effecting GWA members.
Chair:
Buddy Leger
Members:
Don Wood, Dan King
GDA and Grant Committee
Responsible for overseeing and managing the GDA and other grants received by GWA.
Chair:
Greg Leger
Members:
Charles Hall, Samantha Tankersley, Rich Chastain
Auction Loads Committee
Responsible to solicit growers to donate loads and line up buyers to be at the auction to purchase the loads. The committee will monitor load delivery and follow up with any problems or concerns that may surface.
Chair:
Greg Leger
Members:
Rich Chastain, Gareth Smith, Al Wroten, Brad Jones
Convention Committee
Committee oversees the GWA Annual convention with responsibilities to coordinate volunteers for registration, ticket takers, decorations, pageant, sponsors, golf tournament, etc.
About
Watermelon Promotions
Georgia Watermelon Association’s purpose is watermelon promotion from production to consumption. Promotions can vary from our watermelon queens making appearances and talking at functions, to providing informative links about watermelon and the watermelon industry and sharing interesting watermelon recipes with all of our fans.
more information2025 GWA ANNUAL CONVENTION
Thank you to all attendees, sponsors, presenters and exhibitors who joined together to make the 2023 Annual Meeting another successful event! A very special appreciation to our auction load donors and buyers for their commitment and support of the GWA Live Auction. This event once again proved to be a huge success, from Friday night's President's Welcome Reception and dinner to the crowning of the Queen on Saturday evening! Enjoying friends, great food and good times was the perfect setting throughout the weekend in St. Simons.
more information2024 GWA Brand Ambassador
The Georgia Watermelon Brand Ambassador is a trained public relations representative for the watermelon industry both regionally and nationally. Each year she spends the year traveling to throughout Georgia and the United States, talking to people in supermarkets, schools, festivals, athletic events about the nutritional benefits and economical values of watermelon.
more information