SEMA_________________________________ SOUTHEASTERN MEAT ASSOCIATION
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JULY 2012 |
VOLUME 27, No. 7 |
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SEMA President Wayne Lord kicked off the SEMA convention, welcoming everyone to the Brasstown Valley Resort & Spa in Young Harris, GA and opening the exhibitor’s ballroom. Attendees commented on useful ideas they received while networking with other processors and exhibitors. |
We have many challenges in our business and the presentations this year touched on many of them. Food and Agriculture Critical Infrastructure & Food Defense was presented by Dr. Jim Daniels from UGA while Michael Pairsall spoke on how to pick which GFSI Standard is best for your company. Exporting opportunities were discussed by Steve Isaf, President of Interra International. Dennis Reisen, USDA-FSIS Deputy District Manager from the Atlanta office gave a FSIS Regulatory Update. The Atlanta office will be adding South Carolina to its district. SEMA member Jack Payne, Ross Enterprise-CDC Software presentation showed members how they can improve their operations with alert technologies. For members starting in business or having employee and /or customer issues Curt Fowler, Fowler & Associates explained the importance of a value driven workforce. New SEMA member Buckhead Beef of FL, Jerry Jones presented a virtual plant tour. Jerry shared plant and food safety procedures. |
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Things to Ponder . . . . . . .
I had six honest serving men. They taught me all I knew.
Their names were: Where, What, When, Why, How and Who.
Rudyard Kipling, British Writer
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Associates exhibited their products and solved many SEMA processors challenges. Everyone was a winner this year as many of the exhibitors had drawings for door prizes. Thanks to all of our Associate members for their support and participation in the association.
Exhibitors A.C. Legg Co.
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Handtmann, Inc. |
Sponsors *New SEMA Members |
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Each year the frog is auctioned off to raise money for the SEMA scholarship fund. This year Tom Carroll (left), from Sunset Farm Foods and a SEMA Executive Officer was the successful bidder. |
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Due to the generosity of our processor and associate members, SEMA has been able to help many students with their educational needs.
Golf Tournament Ron Brown from Cryovac Sealed Air and SEMA Director put together another successful golf tournament. Cryovac provided the golf awards. We appreciate Cryovac’s generosity and participation in the Association. |
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Everyone had a good time at the Hillbilly Hoedown and enjoyed the beef sticks provided by SEMA member Country Meats, Paul Geatches. There were hayrides, s’mores over the fire, and entertainment by the Mountain Buzzard Boys.
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The convention came to a close at the Presidents Banquet Saturday evening with Las Vegas mentalist, Paul Draper. Paul interacted with our members during the reception and mesmerized the audience with his show. |
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For a convention to run smoothly it takes good people behind the scenes; thanks to Dr. Chad Carr from the University of FL for providing the audio-visual equipment and moderator Dr. Dwight Loveday from University of Tennessee for keeping the program on track.
Mark Your Calendar Hammock Beach Resort |
The annual business meeting was held at the June convention. The By-Laws were revised and the revised By-Laws were passed by the majority of the membership. The new By-Laws add one new associate member to the board of directors for a total of four associate directors. Duane Mobley from Astro Products was nominated by the associate members and approved by the Board of Directors prior to being voted to service on the board. |
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Treasurer, Tom Carroll reported SEMA was doing well financially and that we should break even or make a little on the convention. Membership chairman, Gene Funkhouser reported that membership is good and stayed about the same over the last few years and noted this is due to consolidation and some businesses closing due to retirement.
Wayne Lord appointed the following committees:
Membership: Gene Funkhouser-chairperson, Hugh Tyler, Brian Sapp, and Don Wilson
Education: Al Kaempfer-chairperson, Tom Carroll, Karla Weiszer, and Ferril Maddox
Convention: Billy Nettles-chairperson, David Solana, and Chris Hudson
Nominating: David Lee-chairperson, Scott Kelley, Adam Chernin, JohnEdd Wampler, Ferril Maddox
SEMA Board of Directors
1st row left to right Al Kaempfer, Gene Funkhouser, Karla Weiszer, Anna Ondick, David Lee
2nd row Scott Kelley, Ron Brown, JohnEdd Wampler, Don Wilson, Wayne Lord, Chris Hudson
3rd row Billy Nettles, Adam Chernin, Ferril Maddox, Hugh Tyler, Tom Carroll, Brian Sapp
SEMA Board of Directors Meeting 407.365.5661 To Be Announced |
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AAMP Annual Convention 717.367.1168 |
Crown Plaza, St. Paul, Minnesota | July 26-28 |
AAMP Flavor-Value Added Mt Process Workshop | Crown Plaza, St. Paul, Minnesota | July 25 |