Indianapolis, Ind. (Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024) – The National FFA Foundation recently announced its new 2025 Sponsors’ Board members. The board is made up of top corporate executives who wish to support agricultural education and the National FFA Organization. During their three years of service, board members play a vital role in advising National FFA on opportunities to improve agricultural educational programs, secure funding, and seek continued development of the next generation of leaders.

Aaron Wetzel has been named the 2025 Sponsors’ Board Chair. Currently serving as Vice President of Production & Precision Ag Production Systems at John Deere. With over 35 years at John Deere, Wetzel’s career has evolved through various roles, including Finance & Accounting, Sales, Marketing, Product Management, and Manufacturing. Wetzel is an FFA Alumnus from Charleston, Ill.

John Deere is a longstanding supporter of FFA, having its own John Deere FFA Alumni and Supporters Chapter.

“It’s a privilege to be named board chair for the next year, and I look forward to implementing my many years of agricultural industry experience to further the program growth of National FFA,” said Wetzel. “I’m committed, as is the entire staff at John Deere, to the success of National FFA, its programming, and its current and future FFA members.”

In addition to Wetzel being named the board chair, the following nine new board members were announced :

• Adam Backer, Vice President, Regional Marketing Manager for NAU Country
• Carrie Ballew, Chief Procurement Officer for Domino’s
• Rebecca Camara, Vice President, Human Resources for Valent U.S.A. LLC
• Jamie Eichorn, Head of Crop Sales N.A. for Syngenta
• Roland Fumasi, EVP & North American Regional Head, RaboResearch Food & Agribusiness for Rabo AgriFinance
• Shannon Kellner, Vice President, Livestock for Merck Animal Health
• Raquel Koehler, CEO & President for Rural Media Group
• Adam Ross, Vice President of Talent Management for Bunge
• Danielle Waterworth, Vice President, Dealer & Customer Support NA AG/Global Service & Maintenance Development for CNH

“The future of agriculture is in the hands of our students, and the National FFA Foundation is built so that our partnerships with individuals, business and industry allow us to further secure resources for the future of agricultural education and FFA,” said Molly Ball, president of the National FFA Foundation. “I look forward to the success of our new board and how they’ll continue to bring immense growth to the foundation.”

The National FFA Organization is a school-based national youth leadership development organization of more than 1,027,200 student members as part of 9,235 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

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About National FFA Organization
The National FFA Organization is a school-based national youth leadership development organization of more than 1,027,200 student members as part of 9,235 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The FFA mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. For more, visit the National FFA Organization online at FFA.org and on Facebook and Twitter.

About National FFA Foundation
The National FFA Foundation builds partnerships with industry, education, government, other foundations, and individuals to secure financial resources that recognize FFA member achievements, develop student leaders, and support the future of agricultural education. Governed by a 19-member board of trustees composed of educators, business leaders, individual donors and FFA Alumni, the foundation is a separately registered nonprofit organization. About 82 percent of every dollar received by the foundation supports FFA members and agricultural education opportunities. For more, visit FFA.org/Give.