SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — The current executive director of the Illinois Council on Best Management Practices (CBMP), Jennifer Tirey, is leaving her post to accept the same position with the Illinois Pork Producers Assoc. (IPPA). Tirey, who has led CBMP since October 2014, will make the move to IPPA effective July 1.

"After a long and extensive search process, the search committee has selected Jennifer Tirey as the new executive director of IPPA," IPPA President Curt Zehr said in a news release. "The committee was very impressed with her enthusiasm and the skills she brings to the position. She has worked in agriculture, legislative advocacy and has strengths in communications, promotion and education."

Born and raised in southern Illinois, Tirey is part owner of her family’s farm in Gallatin and Hardin counties. She attended Eastern Illinois University, earning honors with a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science in 1998. From there, Tirey began her career in legislative advocacy working for Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s issue development staff.

Tirey became director of legislative affairs for Illinois’ Central Management Services in 2003. Two years later, she assumed the role of deputy director of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. In 2011, the Springfield resident became the chief of marketing, promotions and grants at the Illinois Department of Agriculture.

Contacted by Farm World, Tirey said she is looking forward to advocating for the pork industry.

"When I went through my interview process, I sat down with the search committee and then toured (longtime IPPA leader) Phil Borgic’s farm down in Raymond. To me it was an ‘ah-ha’ moment when I felt I really wanted to advocate for this industry," she explained. "(Pork production) is a 365 day-per-year job, and the producers are passionate and compassionate about what they do.

"That was the first time I had stepped onto such a large-scale operation and seen all of the precautions that they take for the health and safety of the animals, and for the staff," Tirey said. "It really made me want to be a part of the IPPA and help educate the general consumer about how dedicated they are to their craft."

Tirey noted that the first couple of weeks in her new role with IPPA will be spent further educating herself about the pork industry and familiarizing herself with the IPPA staff, some of whom have been in pork industry leadership roles for over 20 years.

"I want to spend some time with them and get that institutional knowledge. I’m also planning on touring several producers’ farms across the state because there are so many different types of hog farm operations," she said. "I want to visit some of the smaller operations because I want producers across Illinois to know that, no matter how large or small their operations, each voting (IPPA) member gets one vote," she said. "I want to get the small producer’s perspective as well as the larger producer’s."

Tirey will also be learning how to best assist producers who are attempting to create or expand a hog production facility and are experiencing pushback, she said.

Tim Maiers, a 16-year IPPA official, will remain as IPPA interim executive director until Tirey comes aboard in July. "I’ve had the pleasure of working with Jennifer in her current role with CBMP and have found her to be energetic and knowledgeable on ag issues," Maiers said. "Jennifer will be a great asset to pork producers in Illinois and a great addition to IPPA."