Dr. Gallo received her B.S. degree from Cornell University and her M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from North Carolina State University. Prior to coming to the University of Florida in 1996, she served as a Postdoctoral Research Associate at Texas A&M University and Assistant Professor at the University of Minnesota. Dr. Gallo is a distinguished research scientist and is internationally known for her work using molecular genetics approaches for improvement of sugarcane and to attack the problem of food allergies in peanut. She is a sought-after speaker, classroom educator, and mentor of graduate students. Dr. Gallo has served as Associate Editor of four highly regarded journals and on numerous peer review panels. She has received the Fulbright Scholar Award for Teaching and Research in The Netherlands, and she was named Fellow of the American Society of Agronomy, the highest honor the society bestows on its members. Dr. Gallo is widely recognized as a leader in the crop sciences. This is exemplified by her selection to be a LEAD21 Intern in the office of the Dean for Research at the University of Florida in 2007, and in 2009, she was chosen to be President-Elect of the Crop Science Society of America. Clearly, Dr. Gallo brings to the Chair position the needed skill set and breadth and depth of experience required for success.

Dr. Bennett brought to the job strong interpersonal skills, great vision and anticipation of future trends, and the ability to carry a vision forward to implementation. During his tenure, Dr. Bennett successfully strengthened the department's programs in molecular genetics, environmental impact of agriculture, and weed ecology and management, while maintaining excellence in support of clientele in production agriculture. Dr. Bennett hired outstanding new faculty and provided strong and effective mentoring of new hires. He was particularly effective in diversification of the faculty, bringing on board highly qualified women and minorities. A lasting legacy to Dr. Bennett's efforts as chair is the Plant Science Research and Education Unit. His vision and determination led to establishment of this facility which provides a centralized, well-equipped unit for those engaged in plant science research. Throughout his chairmanship, Dr. Bennett worked selflessly for the benefit of the Agronomy Department, IFAS, and the University of Florida. We congratulate him for a job very well done.