AAI names Bill Northey as CEO

The Agribusiness Association of Iowa, Des Moines, Iowa, named Bill Northey, former secretary of agriculture for Iowa, as its new CEO. Northey will succeed Joel Brinkmeyer, who will retire May 1.
An Iowa State University grad, Northey grew up on a family farm in Dickinson County that is still in the family today. Northey’s public service began as a district commissioner for the Dickinson County Soil and Water Conservation District.

His involvement with the Iowa Corn Growers Association and the National Corn Growers Association culminated in his role as president of NCGA in 1995-1996. Northey was elected three times as secretary of agriculture for Iowa in 2006, 2010 and 2014.

Most recently, Northey served as under secretary for farm production and conservation for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, his term ending in January of 2021.
“Bill’s passion for agriculture and extensive breadth of experience in Iowa agriculture are unparalleled,” says Kevin Drury, chair of the AAI board of directors. “His interests in soil conservation and water quality will serve AAI and its membership well. His experience at the Iowa Statehouse as well as in Washington, D.C., will be invaluable as AAI addresses the challenges its members face. The AAI Board of Directors is delighted to have Bill on board.”

“I am excited to be asked to have the opportunity to serve AAI as its CEO,” says Northey. “AAI is made up of the leading agricultural companies in Iowa working to promote Iowa agriculture opportunities and support Iowa farmer and agribusiness leadership on improving Iowa’s environment.”

Outgoing CEO Joel Brinkmeyer completed nine years of leadership with AAI. Under Brinkmeyer’s guidance, the Iowa Nutrient Research and Education Council was formed to be a environmental organization, dedicated to enhancing products and practices of the agricultural community to improve water quality. Likewise, the Agricultural Legal Defense Fund was formed as an approach to defend AAI members from negative precedent setting rulings through the court system.