Beth Gaines has been announced as the new executive director of the Kansas FFA Foundation. Tom Hemmer, president, and CEO of the Solomon Corporation and outgoing chairman of the Kansas FFA Foundation Board of Trustees made the announcement May 31, at the start of the 89th Kansas State FFA Convention.

“We are excited to welcome Beth to the FFA team,” said Hemmer. “Her extensive network within agriculture and beyond, combined with her deep love and respect for the organization, make her a natural to fill this role.”

Gaines is a native Kansan and K-State alumnae with agriculture roots deep within Marion County. Now a resident of Westmoreland, Kansas, she will work on behalf of the Kansas FFA Foundation, securing funding for scholarships, leadership enrichment programs and recognition awards for Kansas FFA members and agriculture education programs.

“I am looking forward to the challenge and am excited to have the opportunity to cultivate support for these important programs within the framework of agriculture education in Kansas,” said Gaines. “My experience as a former member and as the parent of three children who has benefited from the program has only increased my passion and belief in the value of the FFA organization. I’m committed to developing new relationships and securing financial support for the future benefit of these outstanding young people.”

Greg Krissek, CEO of Kansas Corn, will serve as the incoming chairman of the Board of Trustees. He noted that the addition of Gaines to the staff is an exciting development. “We conducted an extensive search for the executive director and were pleased with the exceptionally qualified individuals that expressed interest in and participated in the rigorous selection process. The Board is looking to a bright future with the leadership that Beth will bring to the role.”

Gaines will maintain office space at the Kansas Farm Bureau headquarters office in Manhattan, Kansas. She can be reached at beth.gaines@ksffa.org