Stacie Jacob-Agricultural Journalism
Stacie Jacob, a communications professional, began her tenure with the Paso Robles wine community in December 2004. Jacob leads the member based organization representing more than 500 to fully achieve its mission to brand and promote Paso Robles Wine Country. Working towards two key objectives – building demand for Paso Robles wines and enhancing the wine country experience - Jacob guides the branding efforts of this emerging California wine region to include marketing, promotions and public relations. Jacob takes the lead role as Executive Director for the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance after serving nearly four years as the public relations director for the Washington Wine Commission. As Public Relations Director for the Washington Wine Commission, Jacob was instrumental in building the awareness of Washington State wines nationally and internationally.  In conjunction with their Executive Director, she served as industry spokesperson to travel, lifestyle and wine trade media; building relationships with writers from Gourmet, Travel & Leisure, Sunset, Food & Wine, San Francisco Chronicle and numerous other publications.  She gained experience in developing and managing regional tour programs, industry speaker programs as well as consumer tastings and festivals nationally and internationally.  Prior to the Washington Wine Commission, Stacie spent four years in Kansas City, Mo., with Fleishman-Hillard, a global public relations agency where she focused on food and agriculture clients.

Stacie was recognized in 2008 as one of the Top 20 Under 40 leaders by the San Luis Obispo Tribune. She grew up in a small farming community in Nebraska and graduated from University of Nebraska in Lincoln with a degree in Agricultural Journalism. 

Sherry Frey-Agribusiness
Sherry Frey is the vice president of account services for the Perishables Group, a Chicago-based marketing and consulting firm.  Sherry’s primary areas of focus are developing innovative category development techniques for clients in the fresh food industry, as well as new product development - from conception through execution and launch. Sherry manages the Perishables Group supplier client base and account team. Through targeted strategic planning and market research efforts, Sherry ensures PG programs deliver actionable insights to guide critical business decisions. Sherry frequently shares consumer and industry insights and opportunities at many national and international industry events, including the Food Marketing Institute and INFOFISH.

Prior to joining the Perishables Group in 2002, Sherry served as vice president of Fleishman-Hillard, a marketing communications organization. Her specialty was marketing campaigns and new product launches for national accounts such as Welch’s, Hallmark, Monsanto, Farmland National Beef, and McDonalds. Her work included the national launch of the Maya Angelou Life Mosaic from Hallmark program. Her previous experience also includes international work with the USDA Foreign Agriculture Service (Vienna, Austria) and Emile Voarick Vineyards (Dijon, France).

Sherry has a bachelor’s degree in agribusiness from the University of Nebraska.   

Kyle Schmit-Mechanized Systems Management
After graduating from UNL in 2009 with a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanized systems management, Kyle joined Lindsay Corporation as a Technical Product Support Technician.

In his position, he provides support for dealers, service technicians, and customers who utilize Zimmatic irrigation products.

Jeanine Frey-Biochemistry
Jeanine Frey, a Biochemistry graduate from Hays Springs, Nebraska, was one of 323 students nationwide to receive the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship. The prestigious undergraduate scholarship is designed to foster and encourage outstanding students to pursue careers in mathematics, natural sciences and engineering. Jeanine took advantage of many of the opportunities provided through CASNR such as hands-on research with faculty, studied in England, mentored younger students and served as the co-president of the Biochemistry Club. She is continuing with her biochemistry doctoral program at Stanford University.