RosEXEC ELECTIONS 2008

The US Rosaceae Genomics, Genetics, and Breeding Executive Committee (RosEXEC) will be electing five new members to replace outgoing members. RosEXEC serves as a communication and coordination focal point for the U.S. Rosaceae genomics, genetics, and breeding (GGB) community. We have four objectives:

1. Define research priorities based on input from the industry and the research community

2. Foster scientific interaction and dynamic research teams

3. Promote research priorities

4. Coordinate educational efforts from the research community to the industry and the public

RosEXEC meets in person at annual Plant and Animal Genome conferences and holds quarterly teleconferences. In 2008, Kevin Folta is the outgoing Chair and Gennaro Fazio is the incoming Chair. More information on RosEXEC can be found on the GDR at www.bioinfo.wsu.edu/gdr/community/rosexec/, including a list of all 2007 members (www.bioinfo.wsu.edu/gdr/community/rosexec/membership/index.shtml).

The election process is only open to U.S.-based Rosaceae GGB community members, regardless of citizenship. Up to five votes can be cast per person. Please strive to represent the diversity of our community by electing candidates from various crop interests, institutional affiliations, and geographical locations.

Elections will be held electronically via the GDR at

www.bioinfo.wsu.edu/cgi-bin/gdr/gdr_rosexec_membership_2008_vote_form.cg i.

The US RosEXEC Membership Committee has suggested some candidates on the voting form posted on the GDR, and we urge interested community members to nominate other qualified candidates: this can be done via the voting page, or by directly contacting Cameron Peace (cpeace@wsu.edu). Outgoing RosEXEC members (Herb Aldwinckle, Amy Iezzoni, Kim Lewers, and Jim McFerson) are not eligible for re-election until 2009.

New US RosEXEC members will be selected by vote totals and will serve three-year terms.

Please note that you can also nominate and vote on up to two members as International Liaisons for the U.S. RosEXEC. Current members are Sue Gardiner and Herman Silva, with Pere Arus revolving off. We will add two new international liaisons in 2008, who will serve two-year terms.

If you have any problems using the voting page, please email Dorrie Main (dorrie@wsu.edu).

The deadline for voting is in one week: Friday 4 Apr 2008, 5pm PST.

Cameron Peace,

on behalf of the RosEXEC Membership Committee