Writer: Blair Fannin, 979-845-2259, b-fannin@tamu.edu
COLLEGE STATION – Dr. John Nichols, who recently retired as head of Texas A&M University’s agricultural economics department, has been appointed to the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas Business and Community Advisory Council.
Nichols and council members will advise on current and emerging trends and issues affecting respective industries and communities.
“This advisory council will be composed of established executives who know their industries and communities extremely well and can provide insights into economic conditions regionally, nationally and globally,” said Richard W. Fisher, Dallas Federal Reserve Bank president and CEO.
The council consists of 12 members who serve a two-year term with eligibility for reappointment to a second term.
Nichols retired in June as head of Texas A&M’s department of agricultural economics, a post he held since 2005. He continues to carry out departmental research and other professional activities, including service on the Texas Department of Agriculture Go TEXAN Partnership Program Advisory Board.
“Serving the faculty, staff, students and the many external stakeholders of this large and diverse department has been a great honor,” Nichols said.
Prior to serving as department head, Nichols’ research and teaching interests focused on marketing management techniques and how they improve food and agribusiness marketing systems.
A founding member of the Texas Agricultural Market Research Center, he has conducted numerous research projects assessing the marketing strategies of producer organizations and their participation in value-added business opportunities.
Nichols helped found the Institute of Food Science and Engineering and led in the establishment of the department of nutrition and food science, where he served as an adjunct professor. He is also a member of the graduate faculty of food science and of the intercollegiate faculty of agribusiness.
Over the past 25 years, Nichols has also been active in international programs relating to food and agribusiness research and education. He has received more than $10 million in grants and contracts for addressing the marketing of fortified food products to the development of agribusiness teaching programs in the transition economies of eastern Europe, Russia and Armenia.
Nichols is a Fellow of the International Food and Agribusiness Management Association and member of its executive committee. He has been advisor and consultant to government ministries, as well as food and agribusiness firms in Europe, Asia and Latin America.
Most notably, he helped establish the International Center for Agribusiness Research and Education Foundation to sustain the Agribusiness Teaching Center operating within the Armenian State Agrarian University.
Nichols also has been active in many local service, cultural and civic organizations. He also served for several years as chair of the College Station Planning and Zoning Commission.
He earned his bachelor’s degree and doctorate from Cornell University, and his master’s degree from Michigan State University.
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