Two elected to National Grange Executive Committee

Two Wisconsin Grangers will hold seats on the National Grange Executive Committee simultaneously after several rounds of balloting by delegates to the 148th Session Thursday for the two open positions.

Leroy Watson, a 42-year Grange member, who serves as Treasurer of Fox Valley Good Earth Grange #776 in Neenah, Wisc., and Overseer of Potomac Grange #1, D.C., picked up his first seat as an officer of the National Grange with Thursday’s vote.

“I’m deeply honored to receive the confidence of a majority of the delegates of the National Grange to serve them on their Executive Committee. I am looking forward to working with the fellow members of the executive committee, our state masters and Grange members across the nation to advance the interests, elevate the character and increase the influence of all Patrons of Husbandry.”

Watson replaces Betsy E. Huber, of Pennsylvania, who served on the board since 2006 and has been board chair since 2007.
Watson, a native of Vermont where he still owns and operates his family farm, has served as the Special Director for Trademark Protection and Brand Management since August 2007. He was also the Legislative Director from 1999 until 2010 and Legislative Assistant from 1985-95.

He also served as Legislative Director of the Vermont State Grange, and as legislative assistant for both the Vermont Farm Bureau and Vermont State Employees Association.

He has a degree in political science from the University of Vermont, and a law degree from George Mason University in Arlington, VA. He also studied administrative law at the University of Exeter in Exeter, England, and is admitted to the Bar of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania.

Watson and his wife, Cheri, and daughter, Rachel, 12, reside in Appleton, Wisc., but will soon relocate to Walpool, N.H.

He is Overseer for Potomac Grange #1 and serves on the National Grange Historical Committee.

Duane Scott, Master of the Wisconsin State Grange, returns to the Executive Committee for his third term.

Scott was National Grange Steward from 2001-07. He has served twice as Wisconsin State Master from 1997-2003 and reelected in 2009, serving through today.

Since he was 5, Scott has been affiliated with the same Grange, first as a Junior Granger with La Prairie Junior Grange #19, then as a subordinate member of La Prairie Grange #79. He has held nearly every office open to a man in the Grange.

Scott, of Fort Atkinson, Wisc., said upon re-election he plans to “continue working to build membership and encourage our members to gear up for the 150th Anniversary” as well as “re-forge our fraternal bonds and grow our family organization.”

He has been employed at the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office since 1986 and currently holds the rank of Captain.

He and his wife, Kymm, have been married for 29 years and were members of the 1996 National Grange Youth Team.

They have a daughter, Amber, 23.

The executive committee members will meet after installation on Friday to vote for a new chairman.