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New Farm Bureau exec has Charles City ties

By James Grob, jgrob@charlescitypress.com

Joe Johnson can trace his 30-plus-year career with Farm Bureau back to the decade he spent in Charles City.

“My family and I all have fond memories of Charles City,” he said. “We have a real solid connection with a lot of people there, and we still stay in touch with a lot of them.”

Joe Johnson
Joe Johnson

Johnson, a 33-year veteran of the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF), was appointed last week as the organization’s new executive director and secretary-treasurer. He officially took over the duties last Friday.

“As a long-time leader in our organization, Joe is passionate about Farm Bureau and brings in-depth knowledge of the organization and agriculture that will be a tremendous asset to us,” said Craig Hill, IFBF president, in a press release earlier this month. “The IFBF board of directors believes his integrity, proven leadership experience and ability to build solid relationships will help lead IFBF into the next century, and we look forward to working with him.”

Jonhson and his wife, Karen, lived in Charles City for nine years. Their son and daughter were both born while the Johnsons were living here. The kids are now in their late 30s, and have given Joe and Karen six grandchildren. Their daughter lives in Grimes and their son lives in Clive.

“They both have good memories of Charles City, especially of the YMCA,” Johnson said. “They spent a lot of time there.”

Johnson, from Grinnell, moved to Charles City in 1976, after attending college at Wartburg, where he studied education and sociology.

“That sociology major, that’s really been of value,” Johnson said. “I wasn’t too sure it would at the time, but it’s been really useful throughout my life.”

His first job out of college was as the men and boys aquatic director at the Charles City YMCA, hired by longtime Charles City YMCA Executive Director Ralph Thornton.

“As I look back, going to the Charles City YMCA proved to build a strong foundation for me,” Johnson said.

At IFBF, Johnson succeeds Denny Presnall, who served in the executive director and secretary-treasurer position since 2007.

Presnall, who retired from Farm Bureau after a 36-year career, also has a Charles City connection. He worked for Farm Bureau as a regional manager while he was in Charles City, taught in the Charles City School District, and was the person who first alerted Johnson to the opportunity with IFBF.

“It was definitely his suggestion that got me started with Farm Bureau,” Johnson said.

Before becoming executive director, Presnall served in a number of positions, including chief organization officer, field service director, director of government relations, lobbyist, regional manager and field manager. Presnall began his career at Farm Bureau in 1982 as field manager in Polk County, before coming to Charles City.

“It has truly been an honor to serve this organization for 35 years,” Presnall said when he announced his retirement last September. “IFBF is a special organization. It represents integrity, grassroots and innovation and has truly been instrumental in improving agriculture, our rural communities and our entire state.”

Johnson served as IFBF director of field service since 2010, overseeing and guiding the activities of the organization’s regional managers and county Farm Bureaus. He also led IFBF’s Leadership and Farm Business Development areas; spearheaded the creation of a new farm transition program, Take Root, which has assisted more than 5,000 members throughout Iowa; and helped to significantly increase participation in the IFBF Young Farmer program.

“I’m honored by this new opportunity to serve Farm Bur­­eau members,” Johnson said. “Farm Bureau’s integrity, grassroots strength and innovation continue to lead the way in improving Iowa agriculture, our rural communities and our entire state, and I’m excited to be a part of that.”

Prior to his position as director of field service, Johnson served as senior state policy advisor for 13 years, working with the Iowa Legislature to guide policy efforts on behalf of members. From 1985 to 1997, he served as regional manager for southeast Iowa, and lived in Washington.

“Anybody who has the ability to build relationships, and has an interest in agriculture, could be a good fit with Farm Bureau,” Johnson said. “If you stay passionate and focus on the task at hand, opportunities will present themselves.”

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