At the Annual General Meeting of the United Planters Association of Southern India (UPASI) held in Coonoor on Sunday, D.Hegde was elected president for 2011-12.
According to an UPASI press release, he is a tea planter with 35 years experience. He is now a Director of The United Nilgiri Tea Estates Company Limited (Chamraj Group).
He was Chairman of the Nilgiri Planters' Association (NPA) during 1994-96. He also served as Chairman of The Planters' Association of Tamil Nadu (PAT) during 2002-04.
He has been part of the UPASI Executive Committee since 2000.
G.J.Ancheril, who has been elected vice-president of UPASI for 2011-12, is a Director of A.V. George Group of Companies, Kottayam, which has interests in tea and rubber.
He was Chairman of Association of Planters of Kerala (APK) during 1999-2001.
He is also the past Chairman of Tea Trade Association of Cochin and has been member of the UPASI Executive Committee from since 1999.
He has served as the Chairman of UPASI Rubber Committee.
