An associate professor with Texas Tech's Department of Agricultural Education and Communications has been named to the 11-member National FFA Board of Directors, officials with the 610,000-member organization announced today. Jonathan Ulmer, who joined the Tech faculty in 2008, brings a background in agricultural education to the boardroom.

Ulmer graduated from University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1997 with a bachelor's in agricultural education. In 2003, he received his master's in agricultural education from Oklahoma State University and received his doctorate from University of Missouri-Columbia in 2005.

He began his agricultural education career in 1997 teaching agriscience and serving as the FFA advisor for four years at Medicine Valley High School in Curtis, Neb. He then served as a graduate assistant from 2001-2003 at Oklahoma State University. Later, he served as a graduate assistant at University of Missouri. In 2005 he went to work for the University of Missouri-Columbia as a professional development specialist until 2008.

"Dr. Ulmer is a recognized leader in the agricultural education profession and the National FFA Organization will benefit from his insight, experience and expertise," said Steve Brown, national FFA advisor and board chairman. "I know he will help guide the National FFA Organization in helping students prepare for a lifetime of career success."

Other members of the National FFA Board of Directors include Brown; Sherene Donaldson, National FFA Executive Secretary; Nancy Trivette, National FFA Treasurer; Mike Womochil, State Supervisor-Central Region; William Davenport, U.S. Dept. of Education-Teacher; Jacob Davis, State Supervisor-Southern Region; Ruth Kimmelshue, U.S. Dept. of Education-Agribusiness; Brett Evans, U.S. Dept. of Education-Executive Secretary; William Deimler, State Supervisor-Western Region; and Jason Hughes, State Supervisor-Eastern Region.

Officials noted that the national FFA organization provides leadership and career success training through agricultural education to more than 610,000 student members, who belong to some 7,600 local FFA chapters throughout the United States, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

Written by Norman Martin

CONTACT: Steven Fraze, Chair, Department of Agricultural Education and Communications, Texas Tech University at (806) 742-2816 or steven.fraze@ttu.edu

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