Bobby Walls, Ph. D., product development manager for FMC Professional Solutions, received the Southern Weed Science Society‘s (SWSS’s) highest award—the SWSS Fellow Award.
To be eligible for the award, SWSS members must have contributed substantially to the success of his or her company, university or government agency and have advanced the discipline of weed science in the Southern Region. He or she must also have been active in the organization for 20 or more years.
Throughout his SWSS membership Walls has chaired several committees as well as acted as a session moderator and graduate student contest judge. He also has published 38 abstracts in the SWSS proceedings, focusing on weed science and pest management in agronomic and horticultural crops.
Outside of the society in his role at FMC, Walls works with researchers in the development of new products and technologies to solve weed problems in turf and landscapes. His career has focused on agricultural research to discover and develop new products and technology to improve production of food, fiber, materials for shelter and aesthetic value of the landscape.
Among many accomplishments, Walls holds five patents for currently used herbicides. His work has concentrated on development of products and technologies in the U.S., Canada, Brazil, Argentina and Mexico. In addition, he is a Certified Crop Advisor and Certified Professional Agronomist by the American Society of Agronomy.
“I can’t think of anyone more deserving of this award than Bobby Walls,” said Robin Slatter, director of product development for FMC. “He has distinguished himself in the field of weed science and in his role as product development manager at FMC. He has served and continues to serve the society and the industry well for many years.”
Prior to joining FMC, Walls served as assistant director of the agronomic division at the North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services. Before that, he was a senior field researcher for American Cyanamid.
Walls received his Ph.D. from North Carolina State University in crop science. His previous awards include two Innovation Awards from the Professional Group of FMC; American Home Products’ Agricultural Legislator Communicator’ Advocate Award and the Distinguished Service Award from the Weed Science Society of North Carolina.
