Arkansas Farm Bureau Makes Staff Promotions

The Arkansas Farm Bureau announced a number of appointments effective March 1.

Stanley Hill has been promoted to vice president of public policy, where he will oversee the governmental affairs and policy development functions of the state’s largest agricultural advocacy organization. A native of Arkadelphia, Hill has worked for Farm Bureau for the past 20 years, most recently as associate director of governmental affairs.

Warren Carter, Steve Eddington, Chuck Tucker, and Mike Solomon will continue to lead the commodity and regulatory affairs; public relations; organization and member programs; and the finance and operations departments, respectively, and serve as vice presidents and members of the organization’s senior management team, along with Hill and executive vice-president Rodney Baker.

Two new directors have been named within the organization: Leigh Pruss in finance and operations and Chris Wilson in public relations.

Pruss, a Little Rock native, has worked as a senior accountant at Farm Bureau since 2005. She is a certified public accountant and holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from UCA and UALR, respectively. She worked for Thomas & Thomas LLP before joining Farm Bureau.

Wilson has serviced as graphic design/editorial coordinator for the organization since 2007. A former design editor at the Northwest Arkansas Times, Wilson is a graduate of the University of Arkansas. He has served as editor for Arkansas Farm Bureau’s consolidated newsfeed function. He also has led Farm Bureau’s creative design efforts, social media presence and managed the organization’s print shop staff.

Additionally, Beau Bishop has been assigned to lead national affairs efforts for the organization. He has worked on local affairs and rural development at Farm Bureau for the past two years. His background also includes work as a political consultant and as a Washington, D.C.-based staff member for Congressman Mike Ross. Bishop will serve as the liaison with Arkansas’ Congressional delegation on issues important to the organization’s membership.

MaLeta Stephens, a 35-year Farm Bureau employee, has assumed the duties of corporate events specialist, where she will manage the organization’s extensive scheduling for local, state and national events. Stephens’ efforts will focus primarily on activities involving Farm Bureau’s board of directors, volunteer leaders and staff. She will additionally coordinate allied events, such as the Arkansas Agriculture Hall of Fame and the Arkansas Farm Family of the Year programs.

Additionally, Ethan Branscum of Marshall, a University of Arkansas graduate student, has been hired as assistant director of commodity activities and economics. He will begin work in May and serve as staff liaison for the forestry and wheat/feed grains commodity divisions.