FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Illinois Soybean Association Selects John Lumpe as New CEO
BLOOMINGTON, ILL – February 4, 2020 – The Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) announced today that its board of directors has chosen John Lumpe as the organization’s new CEO. Lumpe’s position is effective February 4, 2020. Lumpe was selected from a deep pool of qualified candidates seeking the position.
“I look forward to this exciting opportunity to serve Illinois soybean farmers who are world renowned for their tremendous contributions to the agriculture industry,” says Lumpe. “Illinois is consistently the number one soybean state in the nation and I look forward to working with Illinois farmers to continue that legacy.”
“John Lumpe will be a tremendous asset to the organization. We are excited about his vision for propelling Illinois soybean farmers to even greater heights,” says Doug Schroeder, ISA chairman. “Lumpe will be an advocate for the farmer and coupled with his impressive resume of experience and passion for the work. We are very excited about this next chapter in the history of ISA. We are looking forward to the future under Lumpe’s leadership.”
Lumpe will be responsible for leading the state’s soybean checkoff programs. Lumpe will continue ISA’s commitment to achieving maximum profitability and global competitive positioning of soy from Illinois. On the policy front, Lumpe will also lead activities for Illinois Soybean Growers and non-checkoff programs.
“Agriculture policy is dynamic and ever-evolving. We look forward to Lumpe being an advocate for us in both state and federal issues where a strong voice is needed,” says Schroeder, who farms near Mahomet.
Lumpe’s resume includes more than 30 years of experience in association management, public relations, strategic thinking, communications and market development. His most recent role was as senior vice president of FLM Harvest where he provided strategic leadership to the organization and specifically checkoff/association clients and trade associations. Prior to that he was the executive director of the Ohio Soybean Association, Ohio Soybean Council and the Ohio Soybean Council Foundation.
Lumpe, an Ohio native, graduated from Walsh College with a bachelor’s degree in communications and journalism.
Lumpe and his wife, Lisa, have two sons.
“We also wish to thank Mark Albertson, who served as interim CEO, and the ISA staff for their efforts during this transition period. We had the utmost confidence that the organization was well taken care of,” says Schroeder. Kincannon & Reed assisted the board with the CEO recruitment.
The Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) checkoff and membership programs represent more than 43,000 soybean farmers in Illinois. The checkoff funds market development, soybean production and profitability research, issues analysis, communications and education. Membership and advocacy efforts support Illinois soybean farmer interests in local areas, Springfield and Washington, D.C., through the Illinois Soybean Growers. ISA programs are designed to ensure Illinois soy is the highest quality, most dependable, sustainable and competitive in the global marketplace. For more information, visit the website www.ilsoy.org.
-30-
For more information, contact:
Rachel Peabody
Communications Manager
peabodyr@ilsoy.org
309-808-3617
217-825-7654