The National FFA Organization and the National FFA Foundation are welcoming Mark Poeschl of Brookville, Ohio, as their new chief executive officer of both organizations.  Poeschl will begin his responsibilities on Aug. 1, 2016.

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

Poeschl, a former FFA member and past state FFA president from Nebraska, brings strong business, customer service, financial, IT and global perspectives to the organization. He currently serves as vice president, group director, stakeholder engagement at Cargill, Inc., Cargill Animal Nutrition. 

Poeschl is a 1983 graduate of University of Nebraska-Lincoln.  He began his career at Ralston Purina, St. Louis, Mo. In 1987 he moved to the animal nutrition firm Carl S. Akey, Inc., in Lewisburg, Ohio, where he co-led the company’s sale to Provimi Holding BV. He served as president and CEO of North American Nutrition, a subsidiary of Provimi Holding BV, from 2007 to 2009. Poeschl then served as group vice president at Provimi Holding BV. In 2011 he moved to Cargill Animal Nutrition.

Poeschl and his wife, Nancy, have two sons, Nathan and Christopher. Over the past few years, they volunteered to serve as judges at the National FFA Convention & Expo. They also established a scholarship endowment for FFA members through the National FFA Foundation. In addition, Poeschl assists in the oversight of a family farming operation in Nebraska.

In accepting the position, Poeschl said, “I am honored and excited to assume this leadership role in the FFA, an organization that has been instrumental in both my personal and career development. I have deep admiration and affection for the FFA and I look forward to contributing to the continued growth and success of the organization. It will be a privilege to work with the FFA team, FFA members and agricultural education professionals.”