IBA names Blossom new executive vice president
Reid Blossom, director of industry relations and youth programs at the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association (ACA), has been named the new executive vice president of the Illinois Beef Association (IBA).
Compiled by staff
Published: Jul 20, 2012
He officially will begin work with IBA on Aug. 1.
“IBA has some of the best and most involved volunteer leaders in the country,” Blossom told FarmWeek. “It’s going to be a good group of people to work with.”
Blossom grew up on a cow/calf operation in Mississippi and was active in 4-H livestock showing and judging. He earned a communications degree at Mississippi State University, where he was on the 2003 livestock judging team.
Blossom has worked for ACA the past eight years. ACA is one of the most active cattle associations in the country with about 11,200 members. IBA by comparison currently has about 1,700 members.
Reid Blossom, new IBA executive vice president
“(ACA) has been very successful building membership,” said IBA President Jeff Beasley. “We hope Reid can take what he learned there and bring it to Illinois. We think there is potential here to expand membership and services.”
Blossom was interested in coming to Illinois due in part to its rich ag history and diverse cattle industry, which includes commercial cow/calf operators, seedstock operators, backgrounders, stockers, a strong junior cattle show circuit, feedyards, and a packing industry.
Blossom and his wife, Emily, have a 19-month-old son, Sam, and plan to move to Springfield next month. “We’re excited to move to that part of the country,” he said.
Their first public appearance will be at the Illinois State Fair Aug. 9-14, where Blossom plans to attend the cattle shows and be available at the Ribeye Corral.
Blossom succeeds the late Maralee Johnson, who worked for IBA for 23 years, including the past 13 as executive vice president, until her death in March.
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