Samantha was born and raised on a farm outside of Barnesville, Minnesota (20 miles Southeast of Fargo, North Dakota) raising beef cattle (purebred Shorthorns) and row crops (sugar beets, corn, beans & wheat). Samantha graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2012 with a Bachelor of Science in Applied Economics (Ag. Business) with emphasis in Animal Science and Leadership. Samantha began her career working for Case IH Agriculture in Racine, Wisconsin immediately after graduation and moved south in 2015, taking the roll as the Southeastern Crop Production Sales Specialist representing the company’s line-up of planters, seeding, and tillage equipment. Samantha joined the GPGA staff as Executive Director in February of 2017 following her passion of supporting farmers and staying in agriculture.

Outside of GPGA Samantha is happily married to Robert McLeod with one son, Arlan, and they raise registered Black Angus Cattle together on their farm. They also have nearly 20 pecan trees and one day hope to expand.

Originally from Omega, Georgia, Sheila graduated from Tift County High School in 1985 and then went on to graduate from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, located in Tifton, Georgia in 1987. She went back to school to obtain a degree in Accounting from Moultrie Technical College in 2012. Prior to coming onboard with GPGA, Sheila homeschooled her 4 children from 1991 until 2013 from kindergarten through their graduation.

Outside of GPGA Sheila is happily married to Scot Harnage. The two share four children and two step grandchildren. Sheila is actively involved in her church and loves to spend time with family.

A native of Tifton, Amy holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism degree and Master of Public Administration degree from the University of Georgia. Prior to joining the GPGA team, Amy worked at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College for 5 years and, prior to that, lived and worked in Atlanta for 8 years in both state government and the private sector.

Outside of GPGA Amy and her husband, Courtney, have three children and are active in their schools, church and community.

Originally from Berrien County, GA, Candace spent her Summers working on her Papa’s tobacco farm. She graduated from Tift County High School in 1998. Candace continued to remain involved with the family farm until her Papa retired from farming in 2005.

Outside of GPGA Candace is happily married to Derron Spikes. Together they have four beautiful children, Gavin, Madison, Callie, and Olivia. Derron and Candace have been together for 20 years. During that twenty years they have lived in Augusta, GA, Kansas City, MO, and Chula, GA. She is very active in her church and in her children’s schools. Candace loves to travel with her family, cook, watch college football and loves to do anything adventurous. To date, her favorite experience has been skydiving with her son for his 18th birthday.

Andrew, Tifton, GA native, graduated from Tift County High School in spring 2018. He is currently enrolled at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, located in Tifton, GA. He plans to transfer to the University of Georgia after graduating from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College with his 2-year degree.

Outside of GPGA Andrew is actively involved with Student Alumni Council at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, where he helps to coordinate between alumnus and the current staff/students. Outside of school, Andrew owns a photography business, Andrew E. McBrayer Photography, which he opened in late 2017, where he focuses on senior and family portraits.

Nicole, a Tifton native, graduated from Tift County Highschool in 2017. She attended Abraham Baldwin Agriculture College for two years before transferring to the University of Georgia. Nicole is studying for her Masters in Agriculture Education and Leadership at the University of Georgia, Tifton Campus. Nicole joined the GPGA staff in January 2018 to gain experience in agriculture and to share her love for pecans and their importance to Georgia Agriculture.

Outside of GPGA Nicole serves as an ambassador for the University of Georgia College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences. She enjoys travelling and plans to study abroad in spring of 2019 in Uruguay to study food and grain production for beef cattle. In May of 2019, Nicole plans to study Viticulture and Enology in Italy. She credits her Dad, Del Tayor, in giving her a passion for agriculture as well as her Mom and sister for helping support all her endeavors.