Board of Directors
The STAA Board of Directors is comprised of nine directors serving three-year terms. One-third of the directors are elected each year at the annual meeting from among the Association’s active members. No two directors can be representatives of the same active member.
Ex officio directors appointed for one-year terms. They are (1) the executive vice president of the Arizona Crop Improvement Association, (2) a representative of the College of Agriculture at the University of Arizona and (3) a representative of the Arizona Department of Agriculture. The immediate past president is an ex officio member if his or her term as a board member has expired during that year of service.
Officer elections are held at a special board meeting following director elections. A second vice president, a secretary and a treasurer are elected annually. The incumbent first vice president/president elect and second vice president are each elevated to the next position in the rotation.
The officers form an executive committee that conducts Association affairs between meetings of the full board.
Welcome Letter
Dear Members of the Agricultural Community,
My name is Dillon Chavez, and it is an honor to represent the Seed Trade Association of Arizona (STAA) as your new president. This opportunity brings great meaning and purpose to my career as a seedsman here in our great state of Arizona.
I was born and raised in Yuma County, where my deep roots in agriculture began. Growing up on the farm was an experience unlike any other—operating equipment, planting fields, and witnessing firsthand the dedication and hard work that define our industry. Those early experiences instilled in me a lasting respect for agriculture and the people who make it thrive.
With a genuine passion for Arizona agriculture, I look forward to serving this term with a commitment to strengthening both our industry and the communities we support. The Seed Trade Association of Arizona has a proud history of leadership and service, and I am dedicated to continuing that legacy.
Thank you for the privilege of serving as your president. I look forward to working alongside all of you to advance the mission of STAA and promote the continued success of Arizona’s seed industry.
Sincerely,
Dillon Chavez
2025-2026 President, Seed Trade Association of Arizona