WOOD RECOGNIZED AS VA. AGRIBUSINESS COUNCIL DISTINGUISHED LEADER

April 14, 2010

Richmond, Virginia – Charles T. Wood, the 2008-2009 Chairman of the Virginia Agribusiness Council Board of Directors and President of Attributes for Success based in Richmond, has been awarded the Council’s 2010 Distinguished Leadership Award.  Current Board Chairman, Matt Faulconer of Rappahannock Electric Cooperative, recognized Wood during the Council’s April 14 Board of Directors meeting in Richmond. 

Wood was raised near Clifton Forge, attended Virginia Tech, graduating with a degree in Economics in 1970.   That year, he began a 32-year career with Southern States Cooperative, serving as a store manager, regional manager over North Carolina Operations, Vice President of Retail Operations, and Vice President of Member and Government Relations and Communications.  Wood retired from Southern States Cooperative in 2002 and started his own business, Attributes for Success, which he continues to operate.

As an industry leader, he served as President of both the NC Agribusiness Council and NC Cooperative Council and Chairman of the Virginia Retail Merchants Association, and was an active participant in the NC Retail Merchants Association and National Council for Farmer Cooperatives. His service to the Virginia Agribusiness Council began in 2001 when he was elected to the Board of Directors.  From 2004-2009 Wood served on the Council’s Executive Committee, holding the offices of Treasurer, Secretary, Vice Chairman, and Chairman.

Wood proved to be a dedicated and active chairman, serving as a mentor, participating in legislative activities, Virginia Tech meetings, and as Nominating Committee chairman. He assisted in developing strong relationships between the Virginia Agribusiness Council and similar associations in neighboring states, and led membership recruitment efforts.

Council Vice Chairman, Ollie W. Kitchen, Jr. with MeadWestvaco in Covington, noted, “Charlie exemplifies the trait of leadership that challenges us to think about why we do certain things…He wants us to make the best-better.”  Chairman Matt Faulconer commented during his presentation, “It is my pleasure to recognize Charles T. Wood for his outstanding leadership of this organization and the agribusiness industry.” He went on to note, “He is a passionate and motivational visionary, tirelessly working for agriculture and agribusiness.”

The Virginia Agribusiness Council represents agricultural and forestry producers, suppliers, marketers, processors and commodity associations in the Commonwealth with a unified voice through its government affairs activities. The Council has a combined membership of over 40,000. For more information on the Virginia Agribusiness Council, visit www.va-agribusiness.org.

Photo (left to right): Matt Faulconer, Chairman of the Board of Directors (Rappahannock Electric Cooperative, Fredericksburg), Charles T. Wood, 2010 Distinguished Leadership Award recipient (Attributes for Success, Richmond), and Ollie W. Kitchen, Jr., Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors (MeadWestvaco, Covington).