St. Louis, Missouri
January 29, 2008
Farmer-leaders of the soybean
checkoff recently hired Lisa O'Brien to serve as executive
director of the United
Soybean Board (USB) and soybean checkoff. In her new role,
O'Brien will be responsible for day-to-day administration of all
contracts related to the soybean checkoff, as well as outreach
with directors, Qualified State Soybean Boards (QSSBs),
contractors and staff. O'Brien's responsibilities will commence
March 1, 2008.
"I'm excited about being selected as USB's new executive
director," says O'Brien. "Coming from a non-for-profit
organization, I was drawn to USB because of the time and effort
farmers give to benefit the overall industry. Also, it's an
unprecedented time to be in agriculture, particularly as you
look at the new innovations and technologies that are emerging."
O'Brien has spent the past fifteen years of her career in
managerial positions. She was recently employed as executive
director of the world renowned Susan G. Komen for the Cure St.
Louis Affiliate.
She also served as executive director for Clayton Chamber of
Commerce (Clayton, Mo.) as well as a business manager for Marsh,
a Videojet Company, which retails coding and marketing equipment
supplies.
"I've been learning a lot about the structure of USB and its
impact on the soybean checkoff," says O'Brien. "I'm looking
forward to beginning my responsibilities in March and becoming
part of what makes this organization critical to the success of
America's soybean farmers."
O'Brien holds a Masters of Arts in Marketing from Webster
University in St. Louis. She earned a Bachelors of Science in
Business Management from William Jewell College in Liberty, Mo.
USB is made up of 68 farmer-directors who oversee the
investments of the soybean checkoff on behalf of all U.S.
soybean farmers. Checkoff funds are invested in the areas of
animal utilization, human utilization, industrial utilization,
industry relations, market access and supply. As stipulated in
the Soybean Promotion, Research and Consumer Information Act,
USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service has oversight
responsibilities for USB and the soybean checkoff. |
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