There’s a new sheriff in town at the Palmetto AgriBusiness Council. Kate Maroney is succeeding long time CEO Ronnie Summers as he transitions toward a well-earned retirement. In speaking with Kate, it’s clear she’s well connected in South Carolina ag circles.
“I just left the South Carolina State Senate. I was a staffer there for almost 12 years. The past five years, I’ve been working in the Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee. I left as the research director. So I directed and led a lot of investigation, research into legislation, regulations, any type of oversight, investigation, and brought everybody to the table.”
In moving from public into private circles. Kate says she feels fortunate to be at PABC.
“Ronnie’s been such a great mentor and helping me meet more people. A lot of the members that I just haven’t had the opportunity to meet yet, but we’ll meet. But I’ve been working with quite a few of there was definitely a lot of crossover there. We worked very closely with PABC was at the state house, so I’m just very honored. I feel like I won the draft!”
Given her background, she says this is a good fit for her.
“Personally, what drew me to PABC is the opportunity to be an advocate for all the stakeholders that I’ve been working with and really push and fight for what’s best in our state, which is to grow agribusiness, to help the farm around, to help our foresters and our poultry farmers. I just but I’m definitely excited for the opportunity.”
And Ronnie agrees.
“She’s worked with the forestry sector, the leadership there. She’s worked with the leadership at the Farm Bureau, who represents ag, and the Department of Ag. We comprise of a lot of non-ag entities that just simply want to be on board to support ag forestry in rural South Carolina. She also has those relationships. I feel like she’s well positioned to be broad in her thinking help us sustain what we’ve got and hopefully even grow.”
Kate and Ronnie are continuing to make the rounds as she meets stakeholders and eases into Ronnie’s sizable shoes.