David McDonald, regional marketing manager at Farm Credit Services, at left, is presented with the Burl Long Award by Wedgworth Leadership Institute Director Christy Chiarelli, at right. | Photo Courtesy Sue Harrell
Linda Adams, FNGLA's chief operations officer, was recognized with the Honorary Director Award. | Photo Courtesy Sue Harrell
FNGLA Leaders Presented With Leadership Awards
October 20, 2023
FNGLA congratulates two of its own as Wedgworth Leadership Institute leadership award recipients, presented at the 2023 WLI Alumni Conference in August at La Playa Resort in Naples, FL.
David McDonald, regional marketing manager at Farm Credit Services was recognized with the Burl Long Award, and Linda Adams, FNGLA's chief operations officer, was recognized with the Honorary Director Award.
The Burl Long Award is presented to an individual who is connected to the Wedgworth Leadership Program and reflects the ideals Long embodied and shared with participants of the program. A primary emphasis of Long’s was to think before speaking or taking action, as he often said, “Speech without reflection is just chatter.”
Recipients of this award are those whose life perspective or mission further developed during, or as a result of his or her participation in the Wedgworth Leadership Institute program.
McDonald was a member of the WLI Class VI and has been active in all levels of the WLI Alumni organization, including as President of the board. McDonald is also a strong supporter of FNGLA, the FNGLA Action Chapter, and never fails to offer his assistance when he sees an opportunity to serve.
Wedgworth's Honorary Directory Award is presented by WLI Program Director Christy Chiarelli to an individual who has provided exemplary support and assistance to WLI.
A graduate of WLI Class IV, Adams was recognized for the strong connections she helped build between WLI, its alumni, and the nursery and landscape industry.
The Wedgworth Leadership Institute for Agriculture and Natural Resources is part of the UF/IFAS Center for Leadership. It develops and refines the leadership capabilities of leaders in Florida agriculture and natural resources.
Since its inception in 1990, more than 50 FNGLA members have participated as WLI program class members, several of whom took on leadership roles within FNGLA, their communities, and at the state level. Seven FNGLA members have been named to the Class XII which begins in November 2023.
