Dufault Installed As New ARA Chair

J.R. Simplot VP and new ARA Board Chairman Dave Dufault (center) symbolically accepts the gavel trophy from outgoing chair Gary Farrell (left) as ARA President Darren Coppock looks on.

J.R. Simplot VP and new ARA Board Chairman Dave Dufault (center) symbolically accepts the gavel plaque from outgoing chair Gary Farrell (left) as ARA President Darren Coppock looks on.

Dave Dufault, Vice President and General Manager of J.R. Simplot Company’s Retail Business, was installed as the 2015 Chairman of the Board for ARA on December 4, during the Annual Conference in New Orleans. He succeeds 2014 Chairman Gary Farrell of Ag Enterprise Supply.

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Following the roll-out of ResponsibleAg, a fertilizer storage and handling compliance initiative launched earlier this year, Dufault said he’d like to see the initiative gain broader exposure to solidify its success.

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“One of the biggest items we have to accomplish is taking ResponsibleAg beyond our agribusinesses,” Dufault said. “We need to take this opportunity to improve agricultural retailers’ image in the general public.”

Dufault said he is looking forward to the next year.

“We certainly have battles to fight in D.C.,” he added. “Fortunately, we have a good team assembled to take on those challenges.”

For more than 20 years, Dufault has worked for Simplot in a variety of roles including crop advisor, unit manager and area manager for the Red River Valley. Dufault has served on the ARA board of directors since 2010.

Dufault grew up on a small grain and soybean farm in northwest Minnesota. He received his Bachelor of Science in Agronomy from North Dakota State University in Fargo, ND. In addition to serving on the ARA board, Dufault is also on the board of directors for the Western Plant Health Association and the Tenkoz organization. He and his wife Terri Beth reside in Boise, ID.

“Thank you for your leadership in guiding us through the challenges of the last year,” Dufault said as Farrell handed over the gavel. Among other major issues including a new farm bill, rail transportation issues and progress towards multi-year re-authorization of the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards, Farrell led the organization through the establishment of ResponsibleAg.

Farrell said he leaves the Board in capable hands.

“It’s been an honor and pleasure to serve,” Farrell said. “We achieved some major successes this year, especially with ResponsibleAg.”

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