It's time to cast your vote for the 2022 AG Alumni Society Board!

Voting Eligibility

To be eligible to vote you must be an Ag Alumni Society Member. You are automatically considered an Ag Alumni Society Member if you are a dues-paying member of the Penn State Alumni Association (in good standing).

Process

Please review the slate of nominees along with their bios for the 2022 AG Alumni Society Board! After you have reviewed the slate, please cast your votes below. Mail-in ballots can be obtained by calling 814-865-2717 or emailing [email protected].

Nominees

• Darryl Blakey - First Term Election

• Kenny Kane - First Time Election

• Mark Kuhns - 2nd Term Re-Election

• Susan Ranck - 2nd Term Re-Election

• Dr. Megan Wilkerson - First Term Election

Nominee Bios

Darryl Blakey

Associate Director of State Government Affairs
FMC, Corporation

During my time at PSU, I was able to join multiple organizations across the University. This involvement would eventually lead me to be President of the Student Government Association at the Berks campus, where Id my journey with Penn State. As I progressed in my courses and moved to the University Park to finish my degree, I served as the Vice President of the Council of Commonwealth Student Governments (CCSG), the President of Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Related Sciences (MANRRS) and an as Ag Advocate.

After leaving Happy Valley, I was fortunate to work for many organizations that directly impacted policy that would benefit American Agriculture for generations. These positions varied from being a legislative assistant on the House Committee for Agriculture to my current role with FMC Corporation. I'm now responsible for crafting the engagement strategy with government officials, regulatory bodies, and business organizations across North America.

I most recently served on the Penn State Alumni Association Council from 2018-to 2021, and I engage with my local community through Kappa Alpha Psi, Fraternity Inc.

In closing, I would be honored to share my thoughts and experiences with the Ag Alumni Society. If elected, I hope that my input can enhance the experience of students and alumni.

Kenny Kane

Forester
Generations Forestry Inc.

Society of American Foresters, Northern Hardwood Chapter Chair Elect (2020-present). Treasurer/secretary 2017-2020. Association of Consulting Foresters, Penn Chapter Chairman 2021-present. Lumber Heritage Region of PA board member, Roach Bauer Forestry Forum steering committee member, Member Penn State Alumni Association.

When reflecting on my time as a student at Penn State I have nothing but gratitude and pride for being part of such a unique program offered by the College of Agriculture. As I approach nearly a decade into my career as a consulting forester, I am now able fully appreciate the well-rounded education I received at Penn State. Since I was young, I knew that I wanted to follow my father’s footsteps as he also went to Penn State and majored in Forestry. From walking around campus and attending football games as a boy, Penn State had left an impression on me from a very young age. With becoming a board member of the College of Agricultural Sciences Ag Alumni Society, I hope to be a part of promoting and preparing the next generation of students as I am reminded of all the mentors that took a personal interest in my growth and education.

Mark Kuhns

Mark D. Kuhns, CGCS, is a Past President of The Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA), serving as President in 2009. Kuhns, who was first elected to serve on the board of directors in 2003, was the Director of Grounds at Baltusrol Golf Club in Springfield, N.J., 1999 -2019. Previously, he was golf course superintendent at Oakmont (Pa.) Country Club (1991-1999); Laurel Valley Golf Club and Rolling Rock Club in Ligonier, Pa. (1979-1991); and Ligonier (Pa.) Country Club (1977-1979). Kuhns is currently the Vice President of Business Development for Turco Golf Inc.

A 43-year GCSAA member, Kuhns first earned certification in 1983. He is a member and Past President of the Mountain & Valley GCSA, Former Vice President of the Greater Pittsburgh GCSA and Currently serves as Government Relations liaison for the GCSA of New Jersey. Kuhns is also a current member of CGSA (Canada), BIGGA (Great Brittan) and Slovenian Greenkeepers Association (SGA). A past director of the O.J. Noer Turfgrass Research Foundation, currently a director of The Pennsylvania Turfgrass Research Inc. and a past director and current member of the Pennsylvania Turfgrass Council. Recipient of the 2016 George Hamilton Distinguished Service Award from the Pennsylvania Turfgrass Council. Recipient of the 2017 New Jersey Turfgrass Association Environmental Stewardship Award. Recipient of the 2018 GCSANJ Shaun M. Barry Distinguished Service Award. Recipient of the 2018 Canadian Golf Superintendent’s Association (CGSA) John B. Steele Distinguished Service Award. GCSAA Colonel John Morley DSA 2020. Past Trustee for the Environmental Institute for Golf (2006-2009). Currently serving on the board as Past President of the New Jersey Green Industry Council (NJGIC). Currently serving on the Rutgers Turfgrass Advisory Board. Past Chairman of the Student Resource Group Committee of GCSAA. Currently serving as a board member of the Si Russel Turfgrass Scholarship Foundation, The Joseph M. Duich Scholarship Foundation and the New Jersey Turfgrass Association Foundation. Currently serving on the board of directors of the Penn State Ag Alumni Society. A Life member of the Penn State Alumni Association and the Ag Alumni Society. Currently serving on The Pennsylvania Ag Council.

Tournament experience includes hosting the following events: US Senior Open 1989, Laurel Valley Golf Club. US Women’s Open, 1992, Oakmont Country Club. US Open, 1994, Oakmont Country Club. US Men’s Amateur, 2000, Baltusrol Golf Club. PGA Championship, 2005, Baltusrol Golf Club. PGA Championship, 2016, Baltusrol Golf Club. US Boy’s Junior Amateur 2018 at Baltusrol Kuhns, 66 (born March 16, 1955), is also a member of the New Jersey Turfgrass Association, the Tri-State Turfgrass Research Foundation and a past member of the Penn State University Agronomy Advisory Council. A native of Ligonier, Pa.,

Kuhns graduated from Ligonier High School in 1973. The Pennsylvania State University in 1977 with a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Science. Saint Vincent College 1989 – 1991 Business Studies. He and his wife, Janet, have two daughters, Elizabeth and Kristen, a son Stephen, a son-in-law Simon and a granddaughter, Abigail.

Susan Ranck

President
Ranck & Associates LLC Elizabethtown, PA

Life member, Penn State Alumni Association; member, Ag Alumni Society; professional member, Institute of Food Technologists; member, National Pest Management Association; member, Susquehanna Chapter of the Central Atlantic States Association of Food and Drug Officials.

I am honored to be seeking reelection as a College of Agriculture Board Member. My time at the University prepared me well for the future. I have been proud as an alumna to give back to Penn State when called upon and represent the University through professional and personal activities. My time on the board has been very fulfilling through participation in Student Engagement Committee and the board as a whole and I hope to be able to continue in this role.

Dr. Megan Wilkerson

Branch Chief
Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE)
Washington, DC

Member of the Project Management Institute Member of the Entomological Society of America (ESA), Professional Advanced Career Training Mentor Member of Association of American Pesticide Control Officials (AAPCO) Life member, Penn State Alumni Society Plant Scientist, Architect of the Capital Project Specialist, University of District of Columbia State Representative, Region 3, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Adjunct Professor, Climate Change & Carbon reduction, University of District of Columbia.

Supporting the University that gave me so much is a nostalgic yet natural choice. Whether domestic or foreign, I am no stranger to service. PSU allowed me to practice my passion for youth Agricultural Education through the Upward Bound Program, volunteering at Bug Camp, serving as a judge for the Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science, reading to Pennsylvania elementary students, and racing cockroaches at the Annual Great Insect Fair. Stewardship and community are my innermost values. Penn State afforded a teaching assistantship with undergraduate students to India and supported agricultural extension expeditions in Burkina Faso, Lebanon, and Côte d'Ivoire. In 2021, I returned to the College of Agricultural Sciences as a minority alumni panelist to mentor students and provided diversity-inclusion guidance to faculty. I would be thrilled to recruit passionate alumni committee members, place and match graduates to vacancies, and foster relationships by serving on the Ag Alumni Board