Georgia Crop Improvement Association (GCIA) has announced its naming of a new executive director, according to a press release from the association. Billy Skaggs stepped into the position January 1, 2024. He succeeds previous executive director Terry Hollifield.
Skaggs is an experienced leader who has worked with GCIA for more than a decade. From 2013 through the end of 2023, he served as the MCIA’s certification program manager, overseeing the certification of seed and turfgrass. He also brings to the role knowledge gained from being an IOIA trained organic inspector, and from conducting audits of USDA certified organic farms and facilities.
“During his time at Georgia Crop, Skaggs has overseen the launch of two websites, guided the association’s transition to a web-based turfgrass inspection app, provided training for inspectors and members, and gained considerable experience while working alongside Hollifield,” an MCIA press release described.
Skaggs currently holds and has previously served in multiple seed and agriculture industry capacities. He is currently the president of the Association of Seed Certification Agencies (AOSCA). As this one-on-one interview with Seed World conducted just after the start of his presidency last June showcases, Skaggs is a keen advocate for certified seed, arguing it is critical to ensuring that farmers actually get what they think they’re buying.
He is also currently executive secretary for the Georgia Soybean Commodity Commission and the Georgia Seed Association. Previously, he spent 13 years with UGA Cooperative Extension as well as two years at the Georgia Department of Agriculture.
Skaggs holds both a bachelor of science degree in agriculture and a master’s degree in agricultural leadership. He completed the Georgia Agri-Leaders Forum in 2003 and was named a UGA Alumni Association’s 40 Under 40 in 2011.
