ArizonaRealCountry.com 35 December 2018 ARIZONA FFA FOUNDATION Hires New Leadership The Arizona Agricultural Education/FFA Foundation recently named Rochell Planty, CMP, CFE as the new Executive Director. “We’re excited to announce a restructuring of the Foundation that will move us forward and support our mission as the fundraising arm of Arizona’s FFA,” Steve Goucher, Arizona FFA Foundation President shared. Planty will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the organization, as well as planning, leading and implementing strategic fund-raising programs. She brings a long history with FFA serving in her earlier years as a State FFA Vice President, leading to the Arizona FFA Alumni President. Her most recent position has been serving as the Operations and Event Manager for the Foundation. She brings over 34 years in the agriculture and hospitality industry with 27 of those in the non- profit world. Her scope of expertise includes public relations, event management, and fundraising. Planty received her American FFA Degree by the National FFA Organization and her Arizona FFA Honorary Degree which was bestowed upon her by the Arizona Association FFA. She received her Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) designation in 2003 and the Certified Fair Executive (CFE) designation in 2013. Planty has been profiled in the October 2003 and October 2007 Arizona Business Magazine. She has a passion for agriculture which led her to combine not only her passion for agriculture, the hospitality industry and non-profits into one career. In her role as executive director of the Arizona Agricultural Education/FFA Foundation, she looks forward to helping individuals and corporations find ways to support agriculture education and the FFA which fit their vision and leave a legacy. Planty is proud to serve in this new role and looks forward to the opportunity to expand the resources to continue to provide opportunities for agriculture education and supporting the mission and vision of the Foundation. Goucher shared “we’re very pleased to have Rochell in this key role. Her legacy in FFA as a former state officer and ability to effectively and efficiently run an organization will be key to our efforts to meet the ever-increasing needs for funding of Arizona’s FFA youth programs.” The Arizona Agricultural Education/FFA Foundation established in 1985, is dedicated to providing expanded educational opportunities for agricultural education and the FFA. It is the vision to secure resources in order to support, enhance, and strengthen the educational and leadership effectiveness of the Arizona Association FFA, the Arizona FFA Alumni Association, the Department of Agricultural Education at The University of Arizona, and the Arizona Agriculture Teachers' Association while maintaining positive relationships with students, teachers, business and industry representatives, and the community. Visit arizonaffafoundation.org. Rochell Planty Double Takes IV at the Wickenburg Art Center 188 S. Tegner Street, Wickenburg January 5 - 31 Tuesdays, Thursday and Saturdays 9:00-2:00 Photographs inspiring art, inspiring the written word, inspiring photographs. An Event of Inspiration and Art! 54th Annual Artisans’ Fair at Gold Rush Days! February 8 - 9 and 10th Coming up at the Wickenburg Art Club! Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays 9:00-2:00