The National Grange elected four officers during its annual convention held November 11 to 15 in Cromwell, Connecticut. The election was held on Friday, November 14.
Betsy Huber and Marty Billquist were reelected to the Board of Directors for 2 nd terms, Huber as Board Chairperson.
Betsy Huber became a Granger at age 5. She was active in Junior Grange and held many offices in the Community and Pomona Granges, including Master. In October of 2002, she was elected President (Master) of the Pennsylvania State Grange, after serving six years as Vice President (Overseer). In November 2006 she was elected to a two-year term on the National Grange Board of Directors and in November 2006 she was elected chair of the Board. Mrs. Huber is also active in her community, serving her third term as a Supervisor of Upper Oxford Township and as Treasurer of the Chester County Association of Township Officials. She grew up on a Pennsylvania dairy farm, was married to the late Henry T. Huber for 39 years and has three children and eight grandchildren.
Marty Billquist has been active in the Grange since he was a child, first as a Junior Granger and then as a subordinate member. He joined Avon Grange in 1968 and has held the majority of the Subordinate offices over the years. He founded the Avon Grange Youth Group to work on community service projects. He was elected President (Master) of the Montana State Grange in October 2001 after serving as Steward and Youth Co-Director with his wife Joyce. He was elected to a two-year term on the National Grange Board of Directors in November, 2006. In his community, Marty is President of the Anaconda Choral Society, President of the Board of Directors of the Copper Village Museum and Art Center and a member of the Deer Lodge Lions Club. He and Joyce have one daughter, Jessie, and two grandchildren.
Phyllis Wilson, President of the Oregon State Grange, was elected Chaplain of the National Grange. After moving to a small farm in Coos Bay, Oregon, Wilson joined Greenacres #834 Subordinate Grange and Coos Pomona Grange #30 in 1969. She served her Granges in many offices, including Secretary for several years. She was elected President of the Oregon State Grange in June of 2006 and reelected in June 2008. After holding several positions in print and broadcast media, Wilson began working for a housing authority, from which she retired in 2006 after several years. Wilson resides in Salem while serving as Oregon State Grange President. She also maintains a home in Myrtle Point, near Coos Bay.
Linda Lewis, First Lady of the California State Grange, was elected National Grange Pomona on November 14, 2008. Mrs. Lewis first joined Yucca Grange #736 in 1971. She was Secretary of the Winnetka Center Grange from 178 to 1985 and became its President in 1986. She held various positions in Antelope Valley Pomona Grange and San Fernando Valley Pomona Grange and was California State Grange Young Married and Singles Chairman in the early 80s. She is currently a member off Browns Creek Grange #837, where she has been Secretary since 2001. Outside the Grange, Linda is active in Friends of Taxco, a Sister City program between Canoga Park, CA and Taxco, Mexico, is a Deacon in the Valley Presbyterian Church, is Mariner Ship President and a Senior High Program Advisor. She held positions as Fundraising Chairman, Secretary, Vice President and President of the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies Auxiliary. Linda and her husband Randy have identical twin sons, Richard and Robert, and two grandchildren.
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