IA welcomes new CEO and advocacy director
Natasha Rankin, MBA, CAE, joined the Irrigation Association as its new CEO in January 2022. Rankin assumed this position following the retirement of Deborah Hamlin. Rankin brings more than 25 years of experience to the IA, including nine years in chief executive roles. Most recently, she served as the chief strategy officer/chief operating officer for the American Counseling Association, where she has helped the organization achieve record levels of membership and revenue growth. In addition to executive roles, Rankin has extensive experience working with associations, including meeting planning, advocacy work, professional development and implementing membership growth strategies.
In August, the IA welcomed Nathan Bowen to its staff as the new advocacy director. Bowen brings extensive experience leading advocacy efforts for organizations, including working closely with agriculture stakeholders and federal and state agencies on legislative and regulatory policy goals.

New magazine launched
In 2022, the Irrigation Association launched its newest publication - Irrigation & Lighting magazine. The quarterly publication replaced Irrigation & Green Industry, which was focused on the broader green industry. The new publication was created to provide essential information to those in the landscape irrigation and lighting businesses. The inaugural Spring issue of Irrigation & Lighting was published in February, filling a niche in the marketplace for providing news and information focused on landscape irrigation and lighting contractors.

 

Irrigation Show heads to Las Vegas
The 2022 Irrigation Show and Education Week took place from Dec. 5-9 in Las Vegas. This year, the Irrigation Association co-located its show with the National Ground Water Association's Groundwater Week. With the theme Leading the Way, the 2022 show was an unparalleled event offering unique education opportunities, access to the latest in irrigation technology and unique networking opportunities. The exhibit hall featured over 200 exhibitors, as well as the popular new product contest showcase and Innovation Hub presentation areas. The IA also provided education opportunities through IA University courses and ???,???Industry Insights presentations.

Smart Irrigation Month
Efficient irrigation took center stage as the IA celebrated Smart Irrigation Month in July. The 2022 theme was Proud Of Our Past. Focused on our future, celebrating the invaluable pioneers of irrigation and the current innovators and contributors who are focusing on the future of our industry. This annual event raises awareness about everything that makes up smart irrigation, including the people, practices and technologies that efficiently apply water to our agricultural fields, landscapes and turfgrass.

IA award winners announced
In July, the IA announced the recipients of its annual awards. Congratulations to these 2022 award winners who have made significant contributions to the irrigation industry:
Industry Achievement Award: Jack Buzzard
Excellence in Education Awards: Charlie Abee, CAIS, and Bradley Jakubowski
Vanguard Award: Subsurface Drip Irrigation for Dairy Effluent Water Application project | Netafim

New IA leadership for 2023
At the close of the 2022 Irrigation Show, Randy Wood will assume the role of IA president for 2023, and Inge Bisconer, CID, CLIA, will serve as president-elect.