SPOKANE, Wash. — Two new members of Washington State University Extension in Spokane County assume their responsibilities in August.
Ed Adams, formerly director of agricultural programs for WSU Extension, is the new director of Spokane County Extension. Gary F. Varrella, an accomplished educator with 29 years of experience working with young people, has been named the new 4-H Youth Development Educator for Spokane County.
Vickie Parker-Clark, director of WSU Extension’s northeast district, announced the appointments today.
“We’re excited to have both Ed and Gary join the WSU Spokane County Extension team,” she said. “Their areas of expertise will complement that of the other Extension professionals in our Spokane office and will enable WSU Extension to continue to provide positive impacts in the region.”
Adams joined WSU Extension in 1983 and has served in a variety of capacities, including Extension educator in agronomy and weed science, Extension water quality coordinator for eastern Washington and Extension plant pathologist. He was director of Extension agricultural programs from 1999 to 2006 and most recently served as interim associate dean and director of Extension. He earned his Ph.D. in plant pathology from WSU and holds a master’s in plant pathology from Texas A&M University and a bachelor’s in botany from the University of Washington.
Varrella, who has served as an education and curriculum consultant, based out of Spokane for the past year, assumes his new responsibilities today.
Varrella holds a doctorate in science education from the University of Iowa, a master’s in education from the University of California-Davis and a bachelor of science degree from University of California-Davis. His previous work experience includes being a high school science teacher at Casa Grande High School, in Petaluma, Calif., a research assistant at the University of Iowa, an assistant professor at the University of Ohio and a principal investigator for grant based subcontracts at George Mason University while also serving as assistant professor of science education at GMU.
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