INDIANAPOLIS (Monday, Nov. 29, 2021/National FFA Organization) – The National FFA Foundation announced its new chair for the Sponsors’ Board during the 94th National FFA Convention & Expo in Indianapolis this fall.

Paul Rea, senior vice president, BASF agricultural solutions North America (Research Triangle Park,  N.C.), was named the chair for the upcoming year. Rea, born and raised on a farm in New Zealand, holds a master’s degree from the University of Sydney, graduate school of management and lives in Raleigh, N.C.

“It is a privilege and honor to serve as the new chair of the FFA Foundation Sponsors’ Board,” Rea said. The work of the Board helps ensure that our talented and passionate FFA members have the resources they need to lead our industry in the future.  I look forward to working with Molly and the other Sponsors’ Board members to support the Foundation’s ongoing commitment to provide important educational tools for our youth ag leaders.”

The National FFA Sponsors’ Board is made up of individual volunteers who are leaders from business and industry. During their service, sponsors’ board members are integral in helping the National FFA Foundation strengthen and develop corporate partnerships with others in business, industry and organizations to provide support.

In addition to Rea being named the board chair, five other new board members were announced. Those include

Mike Borel, president of The Context Network of California; Kerry Courchaine, director of technical services of Darling Ingredients of Texas; Allison Flinn, director of public policy and government relations of Merck Animal Health of Washington, D.C.; Chris Geswein, general manager of river elevators, ag services, and oilseed division of Archer Daniels Midland Company of Illinois; and Michelle Wetzel, research, development and applications director, meat seasonings of Kerry Taste & Nutrition of Wisconsin. These members will serve on the board for three years.

“We are so thankful to those who serve on our board,” said Molly Ball, president of the National FFA Foundation. “Their expertise from the industry is instrumental in helping FFA grow the next generation of leaders while opening doors for a broader audience.”

The National FFA Organization is a school-based national youth leadership development organization of more than 735,000 student members as part of 8,817 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 735,000 student members as part of 8,817 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.