Staff CHRISTIAN SCHLECT President  A graduate of Washington State University and the Gonzaga School of Law, Mr. Schlect has worked for the NHC since 1980.  He is a member of the Washington State Bar Association and American Agricultural Law Association. Boards and committees: Agricultural Policy Advisory Committee (APAC); Alliance for Food and Fiber (Board of Directors); Center for Produce Safety (Advisory Board); Crop Protection Coalition (Board of Directors); Minor Crop Farmer Alliance (chairman); National Council of Agricultural Employers (Executive Committee); National Endangered Species Act Reform Coalition (Board of Directors); Tree-Fruit Technical Advisory Council (secretary); United Fresh Produce Association's Government Relations Council; U.S. Apple Association's Public Affairs Committee; and Washington Apple Education Foundation (Counselors Roundtable). MARK POWERS Vice President Mr. Powers accepted employment with the NHC in 1999.  The principal focus of his position is on international trade policy and general transportation issues. Mr. Powers is a graduate of Grinnell College (Iowa) with a B.A. in Spanish and Environmental Studies and a Masters of International Management from The American Graduate School of International Management (Arizona). Boards and committees:  Coalition to Promote U.S. Agricultural Exports (Executive Committee); North American Trade Committee of the Canadian Produce Marketing Association; United Fresh Produce Association's Supply Chain Logistics & Technology Council; United Sates Agricultural Export Development Council (Board of  Directors); Washington State China Relations Council (Board of Directors); and Washington State Department of Agriculture's International Marketing Advisory Committee. MICHAEL J. WILLETT Vice President for Scientific Affairs Dr. Willett came to work at the NHC in 1996 as Technical Issues Manager.  In 2001, he was promoted to his current position where his major responsibilities involve issues related to crop protection, food safety and phytosanitary/trade.  Dr. Willett is a graduate of Michigan State University and earned his M.S. and Ph.D. in Horticulture from Washington State University. Boards and committees:  Center for Produce Safety's Technical Committee; Tree-Fruit Technical Advisory Council (Steering Committee); U.S. Apple Association's Science Advisory Subcommittee; U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Pesticide Program Dialogue Committee; U.S. Industry Advisory Group of the North American Plant Protection Organization; and Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission (ex-officio member). DEBORAH CARTER Technical Issues Manager Ms. Carter joined the NHC as its Technical Issues Manager in January 2006.  The focus of her position is a range of policy issues related to regulatory affairs and research.  Ms. Carter is a graduate of Ohio Dominican College with a B.S. in Chemistry. Boards and committees:  Pacific Northwest Agricultural Safety & Health Center's External Advisory Committee; United Fresh Produce Association's Food Safety & Technology Council; and WSU-Prosser Food & Environmental Quality Laboratory Advisory Board (vice-chairman). CHERYL LATENDRESSE Office Manager Ms. Latendresse has worked at the NHC since 1981 and provides administrative and secretarial support to the professional staff. Northwest Horticultural Council 105 South 18th Street, Suite 105 Yakima, Washington 98901, USA Voice: (509) 453-3193, Fax: (509) 457-7615 E-mail general@nwhort.org