Syngenta Crop Protection is proud to announce that Dave Flakne, Head of State Affairs, has been recognized with two of the agriculture industry’s most distinguished honors: the Bill Northey Legacy Award from the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) and the Lea S. Hitchner Award from CropLife America (CLA). Together, the awards recognize exceptional leadership, sustained service and longstanding contributions to advancing agriculture through public policy, advocacy and partnership.
Receiving both honors underscores a career dedicated to strengthening agriculture at the state and national levels. Throughout more than three decades of service, Flakne has worked alongside policymakers, state departments of agriculture, grower organizations and industry leaders to help advance science-based policies, support agricultural innovation and address issues important to farmers and rural communities.
“Dave’s career reflects a deep commitment to agriculture, a collaborative approach to problem solving and an unwavering focus on supporting farmers,” said Vern Hawkins, NA Executive Advisor and former Head of Crop Protection, North America. “Throughout his career, he has built trusted relationships with state agriculture leaders across the country, helped advance science-based policy and advocated for solutions that strengthen agriculture. These awards are a testament not only to Dave’s leadership, but also to the respect he has earned throughout the industry. We are incredibly proud of this well-deserved recognition.”
Dave Flakne named First recipient of the newly named Bill Northey Legacy Award
Flakne was named the first recipient of NASDA’s newly named Bill Northey Legacy Award, formerly known as the Ambassador’s Circle Award, which recognizes external stakeholders who have demonstrated exemplary dedication to advancing NASDA’s mission and supporting state departments of agriculture. The award was renamed in honor of the late Bill Northey, former Iowa Secretary of Agriculture and USDA Under Secretary, whose leadership and commitment to agriculture left a lasting impact across the industry.
NASDA recognized Flakne’s unwavering dedication to agriculture, collaborative leadership style and longstanding relationships with state agriculture officials nationwide. The organization cited his decades of engagement with NASDA and his commitment to advancing shared priorities through thoughtful advocacy, practical problem-solving and trusted partnerships. Flakne has attended virtually every NASDA annual meeting over the past 35 years, demonstrating an extraordinary commitment to supporting the organization’s mission and its members.
Recognized for a lifetime of industry leadership
The Lea S. Hitchner Award is a high honor presented by CLA, recognizing individuals who have demonstrated sustained career dedication, leadership and service to the crop protection industry. Presented since the 1960s, the award honors individuals whose contributions have helped shape agriculture and advance the work of the association over the course of their careers.
At CLA’s 2026 Annual Meeting, Flakne was recognized for his longstanding commitment to agriculture and his significant contributions to the policy and regulatory environment that enables innovation and supports grower success. Throughout his career, he has worked to advance science-based regulatory and legislative frameworks, foster stakeholder collaboration and help ensure farmers maintain access to the crop protection technologies needed to address evolving agricultural challenges.
“I am deeply honored and humbled by these recognitions,” said Flakne. “Throughout my career, I have had the privilege of working alongside dedicated state agriculture leaders, industry partners and colleagues who care deeply about the future of agriculture. To be recognized by both NASDA and CropLife America is incredibly meaningful. The Lea S. Hitchner Award is especially humbling because it reflects the respect of industry peers and leaders I have worked alongside throughout my career. The Bill Northey Legacy Award is equally meaningful because Bill was not only an exceptional leader, but also a longtime friend and trusted partner. These awards reflect the relationships, collaboration and shared commitment that have helped agriculture move forward over many years.”
For more than 35 years, Flakne has worked closely with state departments of agriculture, regulatory officials, commodity organizations and industry partners to advance science-based policies and support agricultural innovation. As Head of State Affairs for Syngenta, he leads engagement with state policymakers and agricultural leaders across the country, helping strengthen partnerships and advance solutions that support growers and rural communities.
