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10 SEEDWORLD.COM OCTOBER 2015 uniqueness of the association that helps maintain its strong membership. The Western serves the needs of a section of the seed industry that nothing else meets Jesse says. This one is unique and why the asso- ciation has more than 400 members including more than 50 foreign companies. Smart has been attending the Western for 50 years. There are always new distribu- tors and suppliers to meet with each year Smart says. He notes that roughly 12 to 15 new members are added every year with attendance at roughly 600 to 700-plus people each year. Howard adds that whether you are a distributor or cus- tomer you can set your own agenda at the pace you want. I will book my appoint- ments and see foreign mem- bers one day and local the next he says. Its low key and I set the pace. It was a real privilege to be president of the WSA. Time-Tested Traditions The other unique aspect of the association is its long-standing traditions of which there are many. The WSA does not hold any political positions and does not lobby Wertman explains. While the WSA is a member of other seed associations such as the American Seed Trade Association the main vision remains as a source to facilitate trade and support the U.S. seed industry. The other long-standing tradition is maintaining and building seed business rela- tionships. Everyone will tell you that there are many long-term rela- tionships built at the Western each and every year Wertman says. Some business relation- ships are now in their third and fourth generation. Its a rarity in the business world to maintain business relationships for 50 60 and 70 years but not at the Western. The meetings now are not only to meet others in the seed business but also to discuss how members can continue to work together in the future Kaste adds. Today the Western also offers educational pres- entations and a chance to exchange information which have been added to the agenda in recent years. ASTAs Farm and Lawn Seed Divisions hold meetings during the Western and the Field Seed Institute of North America also meets during this time. According to Kaste the association will continue to see future growth by remaining consistent. While the Western has evolved through the years it is the organizations consistency that keeps members coming back each year he says. SW WESTERN SEED ASSOCIATION PAST PRESIDENTS 2014 Wendell Howard 2013 Mike Baker 2012 Kurt Austermann 2011 Terry Peters 2010 Bob ODonnell 2009 Steve Tubbs 2008 Gayle Stegmann 2007 Tom Lutgen 2006 Don Berry 2005 Ronnie Stapp 2004 David Knutson 2003 Ken Fearday 2002 Thomas Strachota 2000-01 Donald Wertman 1999 Doyle Jacklin 1998 Art Armbrust 1997 Tom Voges 1996 Dan Swindell 1995 Dean Urmston 1994 Mike Hughes 1993 Hugh MacWilliam 1992 Wm. J. Whitacre 1991 Jesse R. Smart 1990 Jim Gilbreath 1989 Kent Schulze 1988 James L. Carnes 1987 James Billings 1986 Joseph Stephens 1985 Royce Richardson 1984 George Jones 1983 Fred Clark 1982 Gail E. Sharp 1981 Arnold Terpstra 1980 Roy A. Edwards 1979 James Girardin 1978 Frank Bergamini 1977 Charles Moses 1976 Charles Scott 1975 Jerry Peterson 1974 Ross Syler 1973 Hal Walton 1972 Herman Schulte 1971 Alan Hick 1970 Cliff Hill 1969 John Sherrill 1968 Gould Metcalf 1967 William Teweles 1966 Ted Klugman 1965 Robt. L. Thedinger 1964 Earl W. Seldon 1963 E. F. Mangelsdorf 1962 Robert Pease 1961 J. W. McMannama 1960 Ward Alderman 1959 Robert Appleman 1958 Herman Jolosky 1957 Robert Sexauer 1956 Carl Roth 1955 Walter Wesson 1953-54 Harry Hirsch 1952 E. Mangelsdorf 1951 Robert Pommer 1950 Charles Sinn 1949 Raul Stewart 1947-48 John Nicholson 1946 Elmer Sexauer 1944-45 Stanley Folsom 1942-43 B. F. Sheehan 1940-41 List Peppard 1938-39 Earl M. Page 1936-37 J. W. Mathys 1934-35 Berkeley Michael 1930-33 Carl R. Chesmore 1926-29 Max Wilheimi 1920-25 F. W. Mangelsdorf 1915-19 H. A. Johns Garth Kaste of Kaste Seeds serves as 2015 Western Seed Association president. Note While the association dates back to 1899 the history of recorded presidents available only dates back to 1915.