NAMA names award winners

The National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA) is pleased to announce three marketing and agricultural leaders as winners of the 2024 Professional Development Awards of Excellence.

The NAMA Professional Development Awards of Excellence honor members of the organization based on outstanding achievement in each of the Professional Development Areas. The awards will be presented in conjunction with the NAMA Fall Conference, October 14-16 in Minneapolis.

This year, NAMA recognizes Erin Kolstad, G&S Business Communications, in the Marketing Communications area, Sandra Mason, Association of Equipment Manufacturers, in the Public Relations area and Cheri Knoy, Farm Progress, in the Sales area.

Erin Kolstad, G&S Business Communications

During her 7-year tenure at G&S, Erin has quickly learned new technical information and understands how to apply communication strategy to help achieve business goals. Erin demonstrates a keen understanding of the industries she supports and has leveraged that knowledge to drive successful and innovative campaigns. Over the past 18 months, Erin has been a key driving force behind several mission critical campaigns.

Erin frequently gets called upon to assist younger and less-seasoned employees. She loves agriculture and loves to offer a helping hand whenever possible. She often gets selected to be an ambassador for the agency.  She plays a critical role in helping raise up the next generation of ag communicators.

As a member of the Carolinas-Virginia chapter board, Erin has served as the communications chair, promoting and helping plan the chapter's key events. She also manages social and email communications to engage chapter members.

Sandra Mason, Association of Equipment Manufacturers

Sandra Mason has served as the Director of Public Relations for the Association of Equipment Manufacturers for over 8 years, helping to not only substantially broaden the association's reach and reputation, but also to raise the profile of the importance of the agriculture industry.

Sandra is responsible for setting and implementing the strategic direction of the public and media relations efforts for the association, as well as trade shows, including Commodity Classic, CONEXPO• CON/AGG, World of Asphalt and the Utility Expo.   Additionally, within the last 18 months, Sandra has led the public relations charge on two high-profile initiatives for AEM: the Celebration of Modern Agriculture on the National Mall and the AEM Manufacturing Express.

Sandra joined NAMA in 2018.  In addition to participating in conferences and meetings, she also serves on the Student NAMA Committee and has participated in Best of NAMA judging.   She also served as a presenter at the Small Marketing Department workshop at the Agri-Marketing Conference.

Cheri Knoy, Farm Progress

When it comes to media sales, Cheri Knoy has respect from all aspects of the industry.  The advertisers she works with truly trust her recommendations. Her peers go to her for advice and Cheri has been honored for bringing teams together, receiving Vance Publishing’s Tony Pugliese Award.

An expert in relationship building, Cheri knows how to put together an overall proposal for a client to hit their goals.  She focuses on more than traditional advertising and gets to know the strategy and objectives of her customers and puts together packages that achieve success.

As a NAMA member since 1998, she has served in many roles including president of the NAMA Pacific and Southwest Chapters. She has served on the conference committee and judged the marketing competition.

NAMA congratulates these three outstanding industry leaders on their achievements.