RISE 35th annual meeting includes new leadership, new strategy summit and emerging tech

RISE (Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment) members, young professionals, industry partners and guests gathered in Dallas-Las Colinas, Texas, Aug. 16 to 20, for the association’s 35th annual meeting, the first under the leadership of Executive Director Scott Herndon.

RISE is the national trade association representing manufacturers, formulators, distributors and others in the specialty pesticide and fertilizer industry.

Neil Cleveland, PBI-Gordon, concluded his 2024-2026 term as RISE Governing Board Chair.

“Together, we’ve stepped away from our day-to-day work to share ideas, tackle emerging challenges and better prepare for the opportunities ahead,” Herndon said during the opening general session. “After seeing the impact of our advocacy, outreach and collaboration over the past year, we’re also celebrating what our members and industry partners have accomplished.”

Cleveland shared his appreciation for the more than 400 members who volunteer their time on RISE efforts and committees.

“2026 has been a year of impact due to our work together as RISE. Whatever your level of engagement, each of us is our industry, where we are creating inspiring and healthy places to live, work and play,” Cleveland said in the closing general session.

RISE Executive Director Scott Herndon (left) and RISE Governing Board Chair (2024-2026) Neil Cleveland of PBI-Gordon at the Aug. 17 RISE Governing Board meeting during the association’s annual meeting in Dallas-Las Colinas, Texas.

Keynote speaker Nicholas Webb, CEO of LeaderLogic and a best-selling author, shared a message about innovation, artificial intelligence and what’s next. One of Webb’s key takeaways: In the age of AI, we must strive to deliver human-first experiences.

Webb was followed by industry leaders who provided insight on drone technology in the specialty pesticide industry with panelists Nandita Chowdry, Clarke; Sarah Hovinga, Bayer; Kamron Newberry, AmericanHort; and Kelley Wittenberg, a drone technology expert.

The panel discussed drone use and how legislation and regulations will help or hinder drone advancement. The key takeaway was drone innovation is here. RISE member companies must strategically prepare for their adoption while collaborating with policymakers and regulators to ensure the industry has a clear path to operate in this evolving space.

The Closing General Session on Day 2 featured the following panels and presentations:

• Keeping it Real: Sharpen Your Strategic Thinking with the Insights Professionals Are Seeing in the Data, moderated by Karen Readon, RISE vice president of public affairs, with panelists Charlie Arnot, Center for Food Integrity; William Stewart, Povaddo; and Colby Vogt, Covo.
• A Federal Policy Landscape: Now and in the Future panel, with Laurie Flanagan, DCLRS, and Mike Gruber, Household and Commercial Products Association.

New this year was a two-day Strategy Summit each afternoon that replaced the RISE committee meetings. As the association completes its current five-year strategic plan, the Strategy Summit provided inspiration, insight and data to help create its 2027-2031 plan, the association said.

Jon Gaeta, RISE senior director of government affairs, moderated two panels during Session 1 of the Strategy Summit:

• Wins/Trends/Forecasts: Priority Issues Overview, with panelists Karen Reardon, RISE, and Edward Thomas, deputy general counsel, RISE & CLA.
• Wins/Trends/Forecasts: State Stars’ Insights, with RISE lobbying counsel in Colorado Sundari Kraft; John Campbell, Southern Crop Production Association; Chuck Lippstreu, Michigan Agri-Business Association; and David Ramirez, RISE lobbyist in Illinois.

The Role of Key Messages in Advocacy was presented by McGavock Edwards and Ure Loop of Eckel & Vaughn Strategic Communications.

During Session 2 of the Strategy Summit, panel discussions included:

• Federal Issues Recap: Wins/Trends/Forecasts, by RISE Executive Director Scott Herndon.
• Regulatory Outlook Through the Business Lens, moderated by Kristen Spotz, with panelists Karen Larson, Clarke, and Mark Schneid, Envu.
• Grassroots Engagement Primer: Pres Davenport and Tori Ludwig of Eckel & Vaughn.

Attending the annual meeting were six young professionals who are members of the RISE Young Professionals Network, as well as new member Rainbow Ecoscience.

Elected to the RISE Governing Board and serving as the 2026-2028 Executive Committee are Chair Blaine Pinkerton, Nufarm; Brent Stauffacher, vice chair, Corteva Agriscience; and Mark Schneid, treasurer, Envu. Members cycling off the board and recognized for their service were Shayne Wetherall, AMGUARD, and John Johnson, Prokoz.

Several awards were given during the annual meeting. The E. Allen James Leadership Award was presented to David Crow, founder/senior adviser of DC Legislative & Regulatory Services, the association’s long-time lobbyist. RISE’s first President Allen James (1992-2010) hired Crow as the association’s first federal lobbyist.

“David has played an integral role in the growth of the RISE organization and in the professionalism and effectiveness of federal advocacy in the White House, Congress, Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Defense and across federal agencies,” Herndon said.

David Crow (right) was presented with the E. Allen James Leadership Award during the 2026 RISE annual meeting. The award is named in honor of Allen James (left), who served as RISE’s first president from 1992 to 2010 and is now retired. He attended the meeting to honor Crow, whom he hired as RISE’s first federal lobbyist.

“His relationships on both sides of the aisle on Capitol Hill have delivered successes and diminished negative outcomes for the industry throughout his tenure. His insights and strategies have guided the association’s federal work for more than three decades — work that epitomizes the spirit of the E. Allen James Leadership Award,” Herndon added.

The RISE Grassroots award was renamed to the David T. Crow Excellence in Grassroots Award and given to Sundari Kraft of Ascent Strategies and members of the Colorado Pesticide Applicators Coalition, who were instrumental in defeating adverse state legislation this session, the association said.

The David T. Crow Excellence in Grassroots Award — formerly the RISE Grassroots Award — was presented to Sundari Kraft of Ascent Strategies and members of the Colorado Pesticide Applicators Coalition. Pictured with Kraft are RISE Governing Board Chair (2024-2026) Neil Cleveland (center) of PBI-Gordon and RISE Executive Director Scott Herndon.

The Strategic Driver Award was presented to Stephanie Binns of BASF, chair of the RISE Regulatory Affairs Committee, for providing steady, results-oriented leadership during a pivotal period for pesticides. Herndon said she helped shape and coordinate industry alignment, particularly in preparation for the reauthorization of PRIA 6.

Herndon and Cleveland presented awards to RISE member volunteers for their service to the association and commitment to the specialty and fertilizer industry. They included:

• Julie Schlekau, Valent USA, co-chair of the Strategic Oversight Council
• Stephanie Binns, BASF, Regulatory Affairs Committee chair 
• Cordie Morgan, SiteOne Landscape Supply, Fertilizer Committee chair
• Bradley Shaver, Helena Agri, Programs & Membership Committee chair

Julie Schlekau of Valent USA was recognized for her service as co-chair of the RISE Strategic Oversight Council. She was honored by RISE Governing Board Chair (2024-2026) Neil Cleveland (left) and RISE Executive Director Scott Herndon.

The sponsors for the 2026 RISE Annual Meeting were:

• Platinum: Corteva, Envu, PBI Gordon Corporation, Syngenta;
• Gold: Clarke, Valent; Silver: Atticus, Bayer, Gharda Chemicals International, Growmark, Helena Agri-Enterprises, Nufarm;
• Bronze: Albaugh Specialty Products, Aquatic Control, EC Grow, Gowan USA, Kadant GranTek, MGK, SEPRO Scientific. 

The 2027 RISE Annual Meeting will be in Washington, D.C. during the last week of August.