ASSOCIATE DEAN FOR EXTENSION, AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES PROGRAMS LEADER

Saqib Mukhtar is a professor in the Agricultural and Biological Engineering Department at the University of Florida (UF). In April 2015, he began as the Associate Dean for Extension and Agriculture Program Leader in the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) at UF. During October of 2019 he became the Associate Dean for Extension, Agriculture and Natural Resources Programs Leader.  Saqib provides leadership in the development, implementation and evaluation of IFAS/Extension's major initiatives that address critical issues in Florida's food, agricultural and horticultural production systems. He guides Extension High Priority Initiative Teams to accomplish milestones and goals outlined in the IFAS Extension Roadmap in 67 counties and 12 research and education centers.

From 1998 to 2015, he was an Extension specialist in Biological and Agricultural Engineering Department at Texas A&M University with statewide responsibilities in animal manure and process generated wastewater management education and research. Dr. Mukhtar holds a B.S. in Agricultural Engineering from the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad in Pakistan (1981), a M.S. (1984) and Ph.D. (1989) in Agricultural Engineering from Iowa State University.

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NIKKI WILSON
OFFICE ASSISTANT

Nikki Wilson is the Office Assistant to District Extension Director for the Central District of Extension. She composes and/or finalizes correspondence for the director, makes travel arrangements, and files reimbursement requests.

Nikki is responsible for the approval of time and leave for the Extension agents in the district, as well as the travel authorization requests and expense reports. She arranges and confirms faculty meetings and training with approximately 150 agents, confirming that the scheduling conflicts will be minimal. She handles the yearly reports as they are received from the counties.

Nikki ascertains that the Promotion and Tenure packets of the agents meet the guidelines of the University of Florida and IFAS. She prepares these packets for distribution to agents for voting and to other Extension personnel for their review of the packets. She is responsible for the communication between the agents and directors, either by phone, fax, or in person. Nikki assists the County Extension Directors with various other annual travel and training reports.

In addition, Nikki coordinates the interview schedules of prospective new agents for the Central District and, if necessary, corresponds with the candidates in relation to travel and lodging. Once an offer is made to the candidate and it is accepted, Nikki prepares and forwards the Letter of Offer and other employment paperwork to the new hire for his or her approval and signatures.

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ANITA NEAL, PH.D.
SOUTHEAST DISTRICT EXTENSION DIRECTOR, FLORIDA COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE

Dr. Anita Neal is the District Extension Director for the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences in Southeast Florida. Ms. Neal works closely with the Dean and Senior Associate Dean of Extension and program leaders in 4-H Youth Development, Family and Consumer Sciences, Agriculture, Sea Grant / Natural Resources and Energy. Major emphasis is placed on hiring faculty, program development, implementation, evaluation, and county relations.

Dr. Neal grew up in upstate New York, learning horticulture from her father and uncle, who were avid gardeners. She received a Bachelor of Biology from State University of New York in 1979, a Master of Agriculture Degree in Education and Communication from the University of Florida in 2002 and a PhD in Entomology in 2018. She joined the University of Florida IFAS Extension as an Environmental Horticulture agent in St. Lucie County in 1995 and became the County Extension Director in 2002. Ms. Neal has a desire for knowledge and a passion to share expanded learning.

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ERIC SIMONNE, PH. D.
NORTHEAST DISTRICT EXTENSION DIRECTOR

Eric Simonne is the District Extension Director for the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences in Northeast Florida. Dr. Simonne works closely with the Dean and Associate Dean of Extension and program leaders in 4-H Youth Development, Family and Consumer Sciences, Agriculture, and Sea Grant / Natural Resources. Major emphasis is placed on hiring and mentoring faculty, program development, implementation, evaluation, and county relations.

Dr. Simonne received an MS-equivalent degree in Agronomical Engineering from the Ecole Nationale Superieure Agronomique de Toulouse, France, and a PhD in Horticulture from the University of Georgia. He started his Extension career at the Department of Horticulture at Auburn University where he coordinated the vegetable variety trial program, conducted research in irrigation scheduling, and assisted growers with production issues for six years. Before taking on DED responsibilities, he was an Extension Specialist in the Horticultural Sciences Department at the University of Florida focusing on integrated water and nutrient management and Best Management Practices for vegetable crops.

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KEITH GOUIN
DIRECTOR OF FINANCE FOR THE UF/IFAS EXTENSION ADMINISTRATION OFFICE

Keith Gouin is the Director of Finance for the UF/IFAS Extension Administration office. Keith works directly with the Dean and Associate Dean in the management of Extension resources, including budget development and administration.

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KATHY HARTMAN
BUSINESS MANAGER, 4-H YOUTH, FAMILIES, AND COMMUNITIES

Kathy Hartman is the Business Manager for the UF/IFAS Extension 4-H Youth Development Program. Kathy works directly for the Associate Dean for Extension and State Program Leader, 4-H Youth Development, Families and Communities. She is responsible for the management of Florida 4-H resources, including budget development and administration. Kathy also is the liaison to the University of Florida’s Group Exemption for the County 4-H Associations.

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CARREE MOSGROVE
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATION SERVICES

Carree serves as the day-to-day resource for development and management of Extension’s financial activity related to revenue and gifts for all 67 counties.

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Christy plays a vital role in overseeing the day-to-day activities of our Grants Team. In addition to her lead role, she assists and advises Principle Investigators (PIs), across all sixty-seven counties, on the interpretations and implementations of new and existing federal, agency, state and university rules and regulations regarding grants.
Christy serves as the Pre-Award and Post-Award contact for all traditional Grants – working with budgets, RFP guidelines, submission documentation, as well as financially providing support for Post-Award Activities.
Additionally, she oversees the fiscal dispensation of the Special Pesticide Certification Examination program, she prepares the state contributions report – Partners for Progress – that is disseminated to Florida Extension offices annually, and she administers all Effort Reports each semester for faculty certification.
Christy holds a Bachelor’s degree in Food & Resource Economics from the University of Florida

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AMY HOLTON
RESEARCH ADMINISTRATOR II

Amy Holton is a Research Administrator II with IFAS Extension Business Services. She assists and advises County Extension Directors on matters related to County “Grantlets”. This includes Memorandum of Understandings (MOUs), as well as building the upcoming year’s budget or any changes that may occur throughout the year. These “Grantlets” allow counties to send salary, travel and/or operating expenses to UF for support of Extension in their counties.

Amy holds a Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) in Health Services Administration from Santa Fe College.

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ELIZABETH "BETH" MCLAUGHLIN
HR LIAISON & TRAVEL SPECIALIST

Beth McLaughlin is the HR Liaison & Travel Specialist for the Business Services office for UF/IFAS Extension.  Beth works directly with Charlotte Simmons – the Director of Administrative Services for the Business Services office – and is responsible for approving travel authorizations and expense reports for all sixty-seven counties.  She also manages the personnel transactions for all TEAMS and OPS Onboarding.

Beth is a UF alum of the College of Journalism and Communications.

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KARRIE PATRICK
ACCOUNTANT II

Karrie Patrick, Accountant II for UF/IFAS Extension Business Services.  Karrie manages the Dean of Extension’s funds through State Appropriations, Foundation, and Cash accounts.  Serving all sixty-seven counties in the great Sunshine State of Florida, she administers the budget, manages assets, purchases and maintains the state vehicle fleet, and assists the administration, faculty, and staff by gaining access to the UF systems through security role requests (as the Department Security Administrator, DSA).  Karrie holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Organizational Management: Human Resources.

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BECKY REDMOND
HR GENERALIST II
SPECIAL PROJECTS COORDINATOR

Becky provides professional support and expertise in a broad range of human resources functions and programs within IFAS Extension, such as payroll management; FMLA/Parental/Professional Development Leave; faculty hires, terminations and job changes; and coordinating HR details involving Extension employees in the 67 Florida counties. She serves as a human resources business partner to Extension administration, faculty, and staff. Becky holds a BBA from the University of Georgia in Business Management with a concentration in Human Resources.

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