KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) – After 12 years at the helm of the Jamaica 4-H Clubs, Lenworth Fulton will assume the role of Chief Executive Officer of the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) as of May 1.

Agriculture and Fisheries Minister, Roger Clarke, officially welcomed Fulton to his new post, during a press briefing on April 24 at his Hope Gardens offices in St Andrew.

Clarke said that the new CEO “is quite knowledgeable about the inner workings of RADA”, having been a member of the Board for some time.

“He is in familiar territory and I hope, and expect, that he will bring to bear all the expertise that he [has gained] at 4-H.”

The agriculture minister added that Fulton’s appointment also presented a “grand opportunity” to establish a greater linkage between the 4-H Clubs and RADA, in an effort to increase youth involvement in the agricultural sector.

Fulton is a graduate of the Jamaica School of Agriculture, now College of Agriculture, Science and Education (CASE) and Tuskegee University in the United States, where he obtained a Diploma in General Agriculture and a Bachelor of Science in Economics, respectively.  

He replaces outgoing Acting CEO, Harold Spaulding, who retires at the end of this month.

Clarke also announced the appointment of five new members to the RADA Board.

They are: President and Chief Executive Officer, Caribbean Vibes Limited, Bevon Morrison; Director of the Agricultural Marketing Information Division, Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Michael Pryce; Executive Assistant to the Minister, Natalie Johnson; President, International Community Institute, Valerie Dixon; and Development Consultant, Janet Bedasee.

“They bring to the table different areas of expertise. But their commitment towards the strengthening of RADA is something that will be brought to bear as we move forward,” said Clarke.

He added that the appointments were necessary, as “there were a number of vacant positions on the Board.”