Dr Gary Munkvold 
was recently elected as councilor-at-large with the American Phytopathological Society (APS). In this position, Dr. Munkvold, and the rest of the governing council, will set the vision and strategy for APS, and regularly work with boards, officers, forums and committees to ensure current issues and opportunities are addresses in alignment with the strategic plan.
Dr Munkvold's Statement of Vision for APS:
APS has had a powerful influence on my career. My first APS meeting was an eye-opening experience; discovering the diversity of people and projects that our discipline encompasses, as well as the brilliance and enthusiasm of my colleagues, was an incredibly motivating force that cemented my desire to learn and contribute to the science of plant pathology. The society has continued to provide me valuable benefits over the years, and I have tried to give back through volunteer opportunities. I still have much to learn about the intricacies of operating a professional organization of this scale, but I welcome the opportunity to help steer APS through this amazing 21st century. Our society is only as strong as its membership, and we should strive to meet the needs of our under-served members and potential members. I fully support partnerships with sister societies around the globe, as well as efforts to increase the value of APS toward industry members. The value of APS to all its members is multidimensional, but above all, it provides a framework and infrastructure for communication—not only for communication among its members, but also for communication between the scientific community and the agricultural community, the general public, and policymakers. Many initiatives of the society revolve around communication and this focus needs to continue.
APS journals are one of the primary forms of communication and keeping them healthy is an important endeavor. The Phytobiomes journal is a bold new effort that will require careful nurturing. The proliferation of scientific journals is both a blessing and a curse. As a society, our challenge is to sustainably maintain the quality, relevance, and visibility of our journals, while simultaneously improving process efficiency. This is a complex, dynamic situation that must remain a high priority for APS Council.
External communication, particularly with policy-makers, is a key strategy for APS to benefit its members and society as a whole. Two areas that should be given high priority are: efforts to influence funding opportunities and science teaching in primary/secondary schools. APS could play a stronger role in both of these areas.
Finally, plant pathologists are in a unique position to communicate about the safety and benefits of genetic engineering and to bridge the divide between organic agriculture and modern biotechnology. We have in our midst scientists and practitioners who are among the most knowledgeable in the world regarding both biotechnology and sustainable farming practices. Surely this places our society in a uniquely powerful position to promote a future agriculture that incorporates both. How to achieve this? I can’t state it better than Sir Gordon Conway (The Doubly Green Revolution) did: “The way forward lies in harnessing the power of modern technology, but harnessing it wisely in the interest of the poor and hungry and with respect for the environment in which we live. We need a shared vision, based, above all, on partnerships among scientists and between scientists and the rural poor.” APS has many tools to promote and implement such a vision, and we need to use them to their full effect.
Source: 2016 APS election results.pdf