The University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (UGA CAES) Alumni Association recently awarded two AAEA – The Ag Communicators Network (ACN) members with distinguished achievement awards.
Samantha Kilgore, AAEA Executive Director
Samantha Kilgore, ACN Executive Director, will receive the 2021 Young Alumni Achievement Award. The honor recognizes UGA CAES alumni, 40 years old or younger, who have achieved excellence in their chosen field and /or in their community.
“I am so honored and blessed to receive this Young Alumni Achievement Award from UGA CAES,” she said. “This college continually molds outstanding movers and shakers in the agriculture industry across the world, and it’s a privilege to serve as an alum and be counted within that group!”
Samantha received her BS in Agricultural Communication from UGA in 2011.
Samantha was hired by professional association management firm Association Services Group, LLC, (ASG) in 2012. ACN hired ASG to provide management services for the association in 2016 upon the retirement of tenured Executive Director Den Gardner. In September, Kilgore acquired ownership of ASG and now is the Chief Marketing Officer, in addition to her role with ACN.
Joy Carter Crosby is the Director of Communications for the Georgia Peanut Commission (GPC) and Editor for the Southeastern Peanut Farmer, a bi-monthly publication. Prior to joining GPC, Joy was an editor for the non-profit National Institute for Animal Agriculture in Bowling Green, Kentucky. She has been an AAEA member for almost 20 years and has served on several committees, including Chair of the ACN Communications Awards, and was recently elected to the Board of Directors.
Joy Carter Crosby, AAEA 2021-22 Board Member
Joy will receive the 2021 Alumni Award of Excellence. The award recognizes alumni who have achieved excellence in their chosen field and/or in their community.
“I am truly honored to receive the CAES Alumni Award of Excellence. I have many fond memories of my time at UGA and I’m thankful for the professors and mentors who guided me through those years,” she stated. “UGA provided me with countless opportunities that have impacted me personally and professionally. I’m forever grateful for the wonderful friendships I made along the way and the impact each one has made on my life.”
Joy received a BSA degree in Agricultural Communications in 1997 and a MAL in Agricultural Leadership in 2007.
Joy and Samantha will receive their awards in person during a special ceremony in April 2022.