The National FFA Foundation announced its new chair for the Sponsors’ Board during the 95th National FFA Convention & Expo in Indianapolis this fall.
David Hollinrake, global head of strategy and portfolio management for Syngenta, was named chair for the upcoming year. Hollinrake grew up on a farm in Illinois and has been involved with agriculture his entire life. He received a Bachelor of Science in agriculture economics from the University of Illinois and a Master of Business Administration from Washington University in St. Louis. Hollinrake has held progressive leadership roles throughout his career with some of the largest agriculture input companies.
Mary Snapp, vice president of strategic initiatives for Microsoft, was named chair-elect. Snapp joined Microsoft in 1988 as the company’s fourth and first female attorney and now leads various strategic initiatives in the Office of the President. She formerly led Microsoft’s Global Philanthropies, investing the company’s strongest assets – technology, money, employee talent, and the company’s voice – to partner with nonprofits and communities to create a lasting positive impact.
“The leadership development experiences I gained from participating in FFA were foundational to helping me develop as a leader and have a successful career in the industry I love,” said Hollinrake. “I am honored to play a role in helping create the next generation of leaders who will change the world and ensure the agriculture industry overcomes the many challenges we face, including how to feed, fuel and clothe the world sustainably.”
“Helping the next generation of leaders grow and learn has been a lifelong passion, from scholarships in my Kansas hometown to support for global aid organizations, but I am most proud to work with the National FFA Foundation in achieving that goal,” said Snapp.
The National FFA Sponsors’ Board is made up of top corporate executives who wish to support agricultural education and the National FFA Organization. During their service, sponsors’ board members are integral to advising National FFA on opportunities to improve programs and secure funding for the continued development of the next generation of leaders who will change the world.
In addition to Hollinrake being named the board chair and Snapp being named chair-elect, seven other new board members were announced. Those include Seth Crawford, senior vice president and general manager, precision ag and digital for AGCO; Steve Evans, vice president, community development for Smithfield Foods; Patrick Gottsch, president/founder, Rural Media Group Inc; Jeremy Kelly, quality services manager for Darling Ingredients; Doug Naylor, national director of key western accounts for Wrangler; Dave Paul, underwriting/vice president for NAU Country; Leslie Stasiek, learning and development lead for Elanco and Colby Tanner, group vice president, industrial products for BNSF Railway.
These members will serve on the board for three years.
“We are so thankful to those who serve on our board,” said Molly Ball, president of the National FFA Foundation. “Their expertise from the industry is instrumental in helping FFA grow the next generation of leaders while opening doors for a broader audience.”
The National FFA Organization is a school-based national youth leadership development organization of more than 850,000 student members as part of 8,995 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
