Long-time extension agent with Texas Sea Grant and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, Julie Massey, has been designated a distinguished agent. The new title recognizes Massey’s outstanding efforts and service to her community in her role as an extension agent in Galveston County.

Massey was nominated for the award by her Regional Leadership Team at AgriLife Extension. She was recognized for this accomplishment at the 2020 AgriLife Conference on Jan. 9, 2020. 

The designation was developed in 2017 and is only held by a select few extension agents with at least 20 years of experience. Distinguished agents are selected based on their excellent programming, agency leadership, community engagement and peer mentoring.

Massey advises and works closely with the Galveston Bay Chapter of the Texas Master Naturalists, which contains over 200 volunteers and contributed over 46,000 service hours in 2019. She also organizes the National Ocean Sciences Bowl’s Dolphin Challenge, a competition to teach high school students about the oceans.

“I am thrilled to receive this recognition,” Massey said. “I am fortunate to work with Master Naturalist volunteers, who inspire and challenge me as we address Texas coastal resource issues.”

In 2014, Massey received the Superior Service Award from AgriLife Extension and was a member of a team awarded the Superior Service Award in 2012. In 2016, Massey received the Distinguished Service Award from the National Association of County Agricultural Agents. She was also a member of team at Texas Sea Grant that received the Assembly of Sea Grant Extension Program Leaders Superior Outreach Programming Award for their Hurricane Ike response efforts.

 “This designation is a reflection of Julie’s exemplary service over the course of her career,” said Cynthia Lyle, Texas Sea Grant senior associate director and extension leader. “She is truly deserving, and we are proud to have her at Texas Sea Grant.”

By Sara Carney, Texas Sea Grant Communications Manager