LUBBOCK, TEXAS, US — National Sorghum Producers and the United Sorghum Checkoff Program has added two members to its staff. Hailey Gilbreath was named communications manager and Jessi Lopez was named administrative manager.

Current team members Haleigh Erramouspe and Amanda Garcia will also take on new roles.

Lopez, who has more than 14 years of administrative and financial experience, will also be responsible for office management, accounts payable and receivable and assisting with event planning. Lopez replaces Amanda Garcia, who now works full time as office manager for Sustainable Crop Insurance Services (SCIS), a for-profit subsidiary of NSP.

“Lopez and Garcia are instrumental to the success of our organizations, helping advance the administrative and financial operations for Team Sorghum,” NSP and Sorghum Checkoff Chief Executive Officer Tim Lust said. “We look forward to the insight and contributions they have and will continue to make to improve the sorghum industry.”

In the role as communications manager, Gilbreath will provide and implement strategic communications planning for all Sorghum Checkoff communications. She will also assist in other related duties of the information, communication and education (ICE) department and organizational programs and projects for the Sorghum Checkoff. Gilbreath has a bachelor’s degree in agricultural communications from Missouri State University. Before joining the organization, she managed digital marketing and social media efforts at Bedford Camera & Video and prior to that, Bulkloads.com.

Erramouspe was recently selected to a joint position as executive director for the New Mexico Sorghum Association and Colorado Sorghum Association. She will fulfill these roles while continuing to work part-time as communications coordinator for NSP. Erramouspe has a bachelor’s degree in agricultural communications and is currently finishing her master’s degree in the same discipline at Texas Tech University. Erramouspe began working for NSP as a communications intern in 2018.

“We are thrilled to have young, dedicated staff stepping up to fulfill these roles in our organizations,” Lust said. “Each team member brings a fresh perspective to Team Sorghum, and I have no doubt their passion for agriculture and outstanding work ethic will help us promote the success of the sorghum industry.”