Liz Thompson, a vital member of the N.J. Farm Bureau for nearly 30 years, was elevated to the top job on Tuesday, succeeding retiring Peter Furey as executive director.
The New Jersey Farm Bureau is grassroots, membership-supported, non-government organization that advocates for agriculture in the state,
Thompson, who joined the NJFB staff in 1996, has held senior-level responsibilities from the beginning. Her primary tasks in recent years have been coordination of NJFB policies, staff coordinator for all federal issues, chief liaison to the American Farm Bureau and its programs/staff contact person and primary coordinator for the NJFB annual convention in November.
She also performs other duties, such as media coordinator, field representative to Somerset and Middlesex counties, social media director, liaison to the Young Farmers & Agriculture Professionals program and others.
She earned great praise from Furey.
“We are fortunate to have someone of Liz’s caliber, knowledge and dedication to Farm Bureau’s mission to step into this key position,” he said. “She is well qualified for the position.”
NJFB President Allen Carter agreed.
“Liz has been a steady hand and a passionate advocate for New Jersey agriculture for decades,” he said. “Her deep knowledge of our issues and commitment to our members make her the right choice to lead us into the future. We thank Peter Furey for his extraordinary service and welcome Liz into this important leadership role.”
Thompson graduated from the Ohio State University in 1994 with a bachelor’s degree in agricultural communications and minors in agricultural business and political science. Before joining NJFB, she worked as a newspaper reporter in northwest New Jersey.
Furey, who served as an executive director of NJFB since April 1982, will remain on the staff as assistant to the president for the remainder of the year in a part-time capacity, offering support for special projects and providing continuity in services for NJFB membership.
