For immediate release

From: John P. Cahill – Secretary to the Governor

Date: June 26, 2006

On June 6, 2006 Governor George E. Pataki reappointed Les Cole as a member of the Advisory Council on Agriculture for a term to expire April 22, 2009. On June 24, 2006 the New York State Senate confirmed the nomination. The Advisory Council on Agriculture advises the Commissioner of Agriculture & Markets on agricultural issues and provides information on current events as they relate to agriculture.

Mr. Cole has over 30 years of experience in transportation, agriculture and agribusiness with sales and marketing, financial and general management expertise.  His specific knowledge, supplier and customer contacts, technical background and business reputation is significant in the agribusiness field. Often quoted in trade publications and asked to speak to industry groups, Mr. Cole is well known for his vision and knowledge of agricultural issues.

Mr. Cole resides on Bronson Hill Road in the Town of Livonia where he owns and operates a farm and owns a grain elevator. As president of Lakeville Transfer Inc. Mr. Cole built the Lakeville Grain Elevator and has worked with other members of the community to plan the development of industrial properties in the Lakeville area. Mr. Cole is president and founder of Commodity Resource Corporation that is developing an agribusiness park that currently includes a large fertilizer and animal feed plant in Caledonia. 

Together with serving as a member of the Advisory Council on Agriculture, Mr. Cole serves on the Board of Directors of the Livingston County Chamber of Commerce, Board Member, Livingston County Farm Land Protection Board, Member, a member of the Northeast Ag & Feed Alliance, and is a member of the New York State Agricultural Society. In the past Mr. Cole has served on the Agriculture Committee of the Livingston County Cornell Cooperative Extension, Board Member, Genesee Community College Center for Business & Community Education Advisory Committee, Livingston County Business Education Alliance, Advisory Board Member, GLOW BOCES, Member, Campaign Cabinet 2000, United Way of Livingston County. 

For further information contact:

Leslie Cole Jr.
President, Commodity Resource Corporation
585 538 9500
lcole@crcconnect.com