Gary VorpahlAt its 99th Founder's Day, the University of Wisconsin-Madison's chapter of Alpha Gamma Rho welcomed Gary Vorpahl as its newest member. Alpha Gamma Rho, known simply as AGR to many, is the nation's largest social-professional agricultural fraternity with the goal of developing the careers of young men interested in pursuing careers in agriculture, food and fiber industries.

In extending honorary membership on April 11, the 1,600-plus members of Madison's AGR chapter sought to recognize Gary Vorpahl's strong leadership capabilities and distinguished career in agriculture.

Vorpahl has over 40 years of publication, marketing and research experience. He started his career with the Farm Progress Companies in the advertising sales department, later becoming regional sales manager and then general manager of the Wisconsin offices.

In 1985, Gary was hired by W.D. Hoard & Sons Company (the communication company founded by Wisconsin's 16th Governor, W.D. Hoard, who started the College of Agriculture at the University of Wisconsin-Madison). Vorpahl presently serves as Vice-President of Marketing for Hoard's Dairyman and his responsibilities encompass managing a national sales staff, internal market research and publication marketing.

During his tenure, he helped introduce the Japanese edition of Hoard's Dairyman in 1989 and followed that with the launch of Hoard's Dairyman en Español in 1994. In 1999, he ushered the rollout of Hoard's West, a publication designed specifically for the nation's Western dairies. And this year, he shepherded the acquisition of the Hay & Forage Grower magazine.

Additionally, he provided guidance on the launch of the Hoard's Dairyman website in 1996, created Hoard's exclusive-content webinars in 2011 and helped roll out the Hoard's Dairyman Intel electronic newsletter with 18,500 subscribers. Gary also helped facilitate building the welcome center as part of the new Hoard's Dairyman Farm parlor/barn facility in 2007. (The Hoard's Dairyman Farm is listed on the National Historic Places by the U.S. Department of Interior for its groundbreaking alfalfa research.)

In addition to Vorpahl's service to dairy, he has given a great deal to the greater agricultural industry. Gary is past chairman of the American Business Media-Agri Council, which represents the leading agricultural magazine titles in the U.S. and Canada. Gary also has served on the Wisconsin Leadership Council for Agricultural Education and the National Board of directors for NAMA (National Agri-Marketing Association). In 2014, the National Agri-Marketing Association recognized Gary with the National Development Award of Excellence in Sales. In 2000, Gary was the recipient of the Badger Chapter's Agri-Marketer of the Year Award and continues to serve on the Board of Directors for the Wisconsin AgriBusiness Council Foundation.

In another national role, Vorpahl has served on the AAM (Alliance for Audited Media) Board of Directors since November 2003. He is currently chair of the Business/Farm Publication Committee and serves on the Operations, Annual Conference and Site Committees.

In welcoming Vorpahl into Alpha Gamma Rho, fellow Madison AGR Bernie Staller who is the retired chief operating officer of the National FFA Organization and National FFA Foundation said, "Congratulations on joining AGR. Like FFA, I believe AGR can and does change lives of young people. It is terrific to have you as part of that effort."
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5.5.2015