(Irving, Texas, Aug.20, 2026)–RISE (Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment) members, young professionals, industry partners and guests gathered in Dallas-Las Colinas, Texas, Aug. 16-20, for the association’s 35th annual meeting, the first under the leadership of Executive Director Scott Herndon. 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,” said Cleveland in the Closing General Session.
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 Chowdhury, 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. Key takeaway: 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 was 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.
- The 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 the associations 2027-2031 plan.
Jon Gaeta, RISE Senior Director 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 Agribusiness Association; and David Ramirez, RISE lobbyist in Illinois.
The Role of Key Messages in Advocacy was presented by McGavock Edwards and Ure Loop, 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, Eckel & Vaughn.
Attending the annual meeting were six young professionals who are members of the RISE Young Professionals Network, and 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 advisor, 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,” said Herndon.
“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 said.
The RISE Grassroots award was renamed to the David T. Crow Excellence in Grassroots Award and given to Sundari Kraft, Ascent Strategies, and members of the Colorado Pesticide Applicators Coalition, who were instrumental in defeating adverse state legislation this session.
The Strategic Driver Award was presented to Stephanie Binns, 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
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.
-END-
About RISE
RISE (Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment)® is the national trade association representing manufacturers, formulators, distributors and other industry leaders in the specialty pesticide and fertilizer industry. Visit the RISE website at www.pestfacts.org and follow on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/pestfacts
-END-