• What is your current role? 
  I am the Director of Government Affairs, Rappahannock Electric Cooperative (REC)
  
  
• What do you do in a nutshell?
  REC is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric utility that provides electric service to over 172,000 connections in all or parts of 22 Virginia counties. My role is to develop policy proposals and work with our government representatives on issues that directly or indirectly impact REC and our member-owners.  
  
  

• How did you get involved in the agriculture industry? 
  I grew up on a broiler poultry and beef cattle farm in Cumberland County.  And earlier in my career, I worked at the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.  Rural issues, including agriculture, have always been important to me and I’m happy to be in a role where I can support our agricultural communities.
   
  
• What do you enjoy the most about the agriculture community/industry?
  The people.  The agriculture industry is made up of hard-working people who are demonstrating innovation, perseverance, and dedication every day – while doing the most important work of feeding our country and the world. 
  
  

• What do you enjoy most about being a member of the Virginia Agribusiness Council?
  Learning from other members and seeing all areas of agriculture work together to support the industry. 
   
• As this is Women’s History Month, what kind of advice would you give women entering the agriculture industry? 
  Don’t hesitate to ask questions – folks in the agriculture community are happy to share their knowledge and experience. 
  
  
• What is one FUN fact about you and/or your family?
  We are big believers in very festive birthday celebrations!  It started with my parents, and has continued with my brother and me, and my nephews and niece – we are very into birthdays and treat them like personal holidays. 
  
  
• What are some things you admire about the women in your life?
  Their love, strength, and resourcefulness.  The women in my life taught me a can-do attitude regardless of any obstacles that present themselves.  And I admire their great senses of humor!
  
  

• Are you currently binge-watching any shows?
  Yes - I recently discovered the 90’s sitcom “The Nanny” is on HBO.  I loved that show when I was younger, and it still holds up.
  

• Are you a night owl or a morning person?
  Definitely a night owl – my best ideas start rolling in around 7:00 or 8:00 PM.

Full Bio

Lindsey Watson

Director of Government Affairs at Rappahannock Electric Cooperative (REC)

Lindsey Watson currently serves as Director of Government Affairs at Rappahannock Electric Cooperative (REC), where she develops legislative policy proposals that are beneficial to REC and Virginia’s electric cooperatives, lobbies on behalf of REC and Virginia’s electric cooperatives before the Virginia General Assembly, and tracks legislation at the state and federal levels that could directly or indirectly impact Virginia’s electric cooperatives.

Prior to this position, she served in Virginia State Government for nearly fifteen years in a wide range of roles including as the Director of Scheduling and Board Appointments to Speaker Eileen Filler-Corn in the Virginia House of Delegates, Director of the Executive Mansion in the Administration of Governor Ralph Northam, and Executive Assistant to the First Lady in the Administration of Governor Terry McAuliffe. She also held positions at regulatory agencies, including the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services, Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and the Virginia Department of Health Professions.

Lindsey was born and raised in rural Virginia, on a beef cattle and broiler poultry farm in Cumberland County. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Virginia Commonwealth University and a Master of Public Administration degree from Virginia Tech. Lindsey is also a graduate of the Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership at the University of Virginia.

In addition to her role at REC, Lindsey voluntarily serves on the Citizens’ Advisory Council on Furnishing and Interpreting the Executive Mansion (CAC), Virginia Rural Center Board of Trustees, Virginia Agribusiness Council Board of Directors, and the Virginia Public Access Project (VPAP) Partners Board.

• What is your current role? 
  I am the Retail Sales Representative for Syngenta Crop Protection in Virginia and West Virginia. 
  
  
• What do you do in a nutshell?
  I represent Syngenta Crop Protection in greater Virginia, I-64 to I-81 North. My role is to support our product line from distribution and retail through application. Key aspects of my role involve agronomy, customer service, and business acumen.
   

• How did you get involved in the agriculture industry? 
  I grew up on a tobacco farm in South Central Virginia. I knew from a young age that I wanted to dedicate my career to Agriculture. 
  
  
• What do you enjoy the most about the agriculture community/industry?
  I enjoy working alongside people who all have the same goal - feeding the world. Working in an industry that has a mission so much bigger than any one person is so rewarding. 
  
  

• What do you enjoy most about being a member of the Virginia Agribusiness Council?
  I enjoy the diversity of our membership. It's a great way to connect with people who may not work in the same sector of Agriculture. I learn something new about Virginia Ag at every event. 
   
• As this is Women’s History Month, what kind of advice would you give women entering the agriculture industry? 
  Your dreams are not too big. Go for it! 
  
  
• What is one FUN fact about you and/or your family?
  I love to travel and try local foods specific to that area. 
  
  
• What are some things you admire about the women in your life?
  Their tenacity and determination, but also the way they care for and support others.
  
  

• What's the next place on your travel bucket list?
  Somewhere tropical!
  
  

• Are you a night owl or a morning person?
  Morning, I enjoy having time before I start my day.

• Tell us about your dogs!
  My dogs are Ella and Ripley, both are rescues.

Full Bio

Jamie K Hodnett

Retail Sales Representative, Syngenta Crop Protection

Jamie is a Retail Sales Representative and District Seedcare Specialist for Syngenta Crop Protection working out of the Southern and East Coast Commercial Unit. Her retail sales territory encompasses a majority of central Virginia, from the Northern Neck to the Shenandoah Valley, in addition to the state of West Virginia. She holds responsibilities for downstream soybean and cereals seed treatment from Virginia to Maine. In both of these roles, Jamie’s focus is developing and maintaining deep customer relationships in addition to providing local product service and stewardship. She works closely with Ag retailers across the state to help with various needs including marketing, sales, service, and application. She has a passion for developing others and often finds the success of those she mentors to be some of her most rewarding work.

Prior to this role, Jamie was a Developmental Sales Representative with Syngenta, based out of Hershey, PA and later Salisbury, MD.  In addition, Jamie also completed internships with Augusta Cooperative Farm Bureau in Staunton, VA and Syngenta Crop Protection in Virginia and North Carolina. 

Jamie holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Crop and Soil Environmental Science from Virginia Tech. She grew up in Pittsylvania County, VA on her family’s tobacco farm.