National FFA Names CEO

The Indianapolis-based National FFA Organization and the National FFA Foundation have a new chief executive officer. Mark Poeschl will lead both organizations beginning August 1.

Poeschl currently serves as vice president, group director of stakeholder engagement at Cargill Animal Nutrition in Ohio. He is also a former FFA member and former state FFA president from Nebraska. He and his wife, Nancy, have also served as judges in the National FFA Convention in the past.

"Mark’s management and leadership experience will embrace the mission of FFA and enhance our vision to grow leaders, build communities and strengthen agriculture," Steve Brown, chair of the FFA Board of Directors and national FFA advisor. "I look forward to working with a visionary leader who will continue developing student success within agricultural education.”

Poeschl will succeed Dwight Armstrong, who announced his retirement in December. Last month, Armstrong was honored with the 2016 Agribusiness Leader of the Year award by the National Agri-Marketing Association. 

"Mark Poeschl is a strong leader with sound values centered on servant leadership," said Armstrong. "His management experience, global perspective and financial acumen will serve FFA well, and I know our staff will enjoy Mark’s leadership style and friendly personality."

Poeschl and his wife have also established a scholarship endowment for FFA members through the National FFA Foundation.