Curriculum Vitae - Alabama A&M University

E’LICIA L. CHAVEREST
2013 Flagstone Drive Apt. 1003, Madison, AL 35758
Email: echaverest@gmail.com & echaverest@hotmail.com
Office: (256)372-4970 Cellular: (256) 457-8564 Fax: (256) 372-5517
EDUCATION:
Master of Science, Agribusiness Management, G.P.A 3.6/4.0
July, 2003 Alabama A & M University, Normal, AL
Thesis: “Perceptions of Alabama Producers on Labeling Genetically Modified Food Products”
Bachelor of Science, Agribusiness Management, Cum Laude Graduate, G.P.A. 3.4./4.0
May, 2001 Alabama A & M University, Normal, AL
SKILLS:
Proficient in Microsoft Office, familiarity with Finpack Software, and Statistical Package for the Social
Sciences (SPSS). Possess effective communications and negotiation skills; and familiarity with strategic
management, grant writing, and Sign Language. Ability to type 40 wpm.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Program Manager and Marketing Specialist - Summer 2007-Present. Alabama A&M University,
Small Farms Research Center, Normal, Alabama
Responsibilities:
Collect and analyze economic and agricultural data
Provide outreach and technical assistance to producers, landowners, and entrepreneurs
Develop the Small Farms Research Center (SFRC)Internship Program
Supervise interns and graduate students
Develop and maintain the (SFRC) Facebook page and other media outlets
Develop and assist (3) producers in funding grants (specifically USDA Rural Development
Value-Added Grants (2010-2011 and 2012-2013)
Increase audience participation in utilizing SFRC services by 25%
Assist in the development of two local farmers markets
Initiate and establish business relationships with local media and non-profit organizations
Highly efficient in managing and executing programs and projects, and financial budgets
Coordinate and organize professional training workshops, seminars, and activities
Initiate and coordinate “Women in Agriculture Program “ project
Participate in grant writing, business planning, and economic development
Develop training conference manuals and modules, fact sheets on various issues including food
safety, risk and farm management, marketing, diversification, current government programs,
business development and women in agriculture program
Research Associate - Fall 2003-2007. Alabama A&M University, Small Farms Research
Center, Normal, Alabama
Responsibilities:
Design and administer survey instruments for different research studies within the Southern
AgBiotech Consortium for Underserved Communities
Collect and analyze economic and agricultural data
Conduct applied research, present results at professional meeting and conferences, and publish in
proceedings and refereed journals
Serve as Editor of the Small Farms Research Center’s quarterly newsletter.
Former Radio host for the Center’s weekly, Small Farms Report
Develop Small Farms Center via internet training modules and via video Center’s overview
Provide administrative support to the Small Farms Research Center
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Graduate Research Assistant/ Student - Fall 2001-2003. Alabama A&M University, Agribusiness
Department, Graduate Program, Normal, Alabama
Responsibilities:
Collect, code, and analyze surveys and statistical data
Develop and present PowerPoint presentations at professional meetings
Assist undergraduate students and apprenticeship students
Perform administrated tasks
Sales Intern - Summer 2000. Case/New Holland Tractor Company, Newholland, PA
Responsibilities:
Expedite orders
Purchase orders for farm equipment and negotiate deadlines
Develop purchase order spreadsheets
Credit Intern - Summer 1999. New Holland, North America Tractor Company, Newholland, PA
Responsibilities:
Review balance sheets and proofread budget proposals
Review loan applications
Develop and present PowerPoint presentation
Coordinate farm show and develop material
Resolve dealership questions and contract problems
Assist with designing a New Holland Credit Company brochure
Test Finance Plus@ (software developed by New Holland for the year 2000) for the United
States of America and Canada
USDA Summer Research Apprenticeship - Summer 1996. Alabama A &M University, School of
Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Normal, AL
Responsibilities:
Analyze data on U.S. crops and commodities
Conduct “Short-term Outlook for U.S. Agriculture”
Develop and present PowerPoint presentation on the topic
HONORS AND AWARDS
• Dean’s Commendation for Excellence in Outreach and Service: School of Agricultural and
Environmental Services, Alabama A&M University, Normal, Alabama, November 2008.
• Dean’s Citation for Excellence in Outreach: 23 rd Annual Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
Week, School of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences, Alabama A&M University, April 22, 2008.
• Presidential Commendation for Excellence in Service: Alabama A&M University, January 22, 2007.
• Dean’s Commendation for Small Farms Research Center: School of Agricultural & Environmental
Sciences, Alabama A&M University, January 10, 2007.
• Pioneer Hi-Bred International Scholarship Award (2003).
OTHER QUALIFICATIONS/INTENSIVE SHORT COURSES
• Managing Innovation in Agribusiness, Kenan-Flagler Business School, University of North Carolina,
Chapel Hill, North Carolina, February 2002.
• Farm Financial Analysis and Risk Management, University of Minnesota for Farm Financial
Management, Virginia State University, Charlottesville, Virginia, 2003.
• 4-H Leadership program, Alabama Cooperative Extension System, Columbiana, Alabama 2001.
VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE & EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
Volunteer for North Alabama Food Policy Council (2011-present)
Volunteer for Red Cross/Salvation Army Food Shelter (2012-present)
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Alabama Forestry Commission Outreach Advisory Council (2009- present)
Volunteer for Union Chapel Missionary Church Activities ( 2006-present)
Downtown Break Free Mission (Feeding Homeless) (2006-present)
American Heart Walk (2006 and 2004)
Panoply Arts Festival (2003- present)
Alabama A&M University’s Student Government Association, Treasurer ( 1998-2000)
Alabama A&M University’s Marching Maroon & White Band, Majorette & Head Majorette
(1996-2000)
Alpha Zeta Fraternity, member (1999)
Phi Beta Lambda Business Fraternity, member (1999)
Students Promoting Action/Community Education (S.P.A.C.E.) program (1998)
Alabama A&M University, Jump Start Program for Freshman Orientation (1998)
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP
American Agricultural Economic Association (AAEA)
Southern Rural Sociology Association (SRSA)
Southern Association of Agricultural Scientists (SAAS)
Southern Agricultural Economic Association (SAEA)
Missouri Valley Economic Association (MVEA)
Rural Sociological Society (RSS)
PUBLICATION AND PRESENTATION
Chembezi, Duncan M. and E’licia L. Chaverest, ‘Preference for Mandatory Labeling of GM Products by
Agricultural Producers in the Southeast United States.’ Journal of Finance and Accountancy, 2012
(forthcoming).
Chaverest, Elicia L. Duncan M. Chembezi, Gerald Wheelock. “Consumer Perceptions and Willingnessto
Pay for GM-Free Food Products in Southern Underserved Communities,” Mobile, Alabama, February
3-6, 2007. Selected paper presented at the Southern Rural Sociological Association Annual Meeting,
Mobile, Alabama, February 6, 2007.
Warriors and Winners: Risk Management Catalysts Panel Discussion: Elicia L. Chaverest, Alabama
A&M University, Mary Mafuyai-Ekanem, North Carolina A&T University, and Charlotte Ham,
Tuskegee University at the Southern Rural Sociological Association (SRSA) Meeting, Orlando, Florida,
February 5, 2006.
Chaverest, E’licia L., Duncan M. Chembezi, Gerald Wheelock, Govind Sharma, Alabama A&M
University, Ellene Kebede, Tuskegee University, and Fisseha Tegegne, Tennessee State University.
“Perception of Agricultural Biotechnology among Science Students in Historically Black Land-Grant
Universities. Poster presented at the Southern Rural Sociological Association (SRSA) Annual Meeting,
Orlando, Florida, February 6, 2006.
Chaverest, E’licia L., Duncan M. Chembezi, Gerald Wheelock, Govind Sharma, Ellene Kebede, and
Fisseha Tegegne. “Awareness and Perception of Biotechnology among Science Students in
Predominantly Black Land-Grant Universities. Poster presented at the Rural Southern Sociological
Society (RSS) Annual Meeting in Tampa, Florida, August 9-12, 2005.
Chaverest, E’licia L., Duncan M. Chembezi, Gerald Wheelock, Govind Sharma, Ellene Kebede.
“Producers’ Opinions and Mandatory Labeling of Genetically Modified Food Products.” Paper presented
at the Hawaii International Conference on Business in Honolulu, Hawaii, May 21, 2005.
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Chaverest, E’licia L., Duncan M. Chembezi, Gerald Wheelock, Govind Sharma and Ellene Kebede.
“Consumers’ Awareness and Willingness to Pay for Genetically Modified Food Products: Lessons from
the Southern Agricultural Biotech Consortium for Underserved Communities,” Denver, Colorado, July-
August 2004.” Paper prepared for presentation at the American Agricultural Economics Association
(AAEA) Organized Symposium “Biotechnology: Discussion of Findings on Some Issues in
Biotechnoogy,” American Agricultural Economics Association Annual Meeting in Denver, Colorado,
August 1-4, 2004.
Chaverest, Elicia L., Gerald Wheelock and Duncan M. Chembezi. “An Analysis of Producers’ Opinions
on Mandatory Labeling of Genetically Modified Products.” Paper presented at the Southern Agricultural
Economics Association Annual Meeting in Tulsa, Oklahoma, February 14-18, 2004.
Chaverest, E’licia L., Duncan M. Chembezi, Gerald Wheelock, Govind Sharma, Ellene Kebede. An
Analysis of the Southern Agricultural Biotech Consortium for Underserved Communities (SACUC)
Participants- Internal Evaluation (2004).
Chaverest, E’licia L., Gerald Wheelock and Duncan M. Chembezi. “Correlates of Producers’
Perceptions on a Mandatory Labeling Program for Genetically Modified Products.” Selected paper
presented at the Missouri Valley Economics Association (MVEA) Annual Meeting, St. Louis, Missouri,
February 27-March 1, 2003.
Chaverest, E’licia L., Gerald Wheelock and Duncan M. Chembezi. ”Producers’ Perceptions On Labeling
Genetically Modified Products.“ Selected paper presented at the Southern Rural Sociological Association
Annual Meeting, Mobile, Alabama, February 1-5, 2003.
References Available upon Request.
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