May 27, 2022
Illinois Foundation Seeds, Inc. (IFSI) announced the retirement of Tim Johnson. Johnson served as president of IFSI’s Field Crops Business Unit.
“Tim has been a great asset for IFSI and the seed industry as a whole,” says Clinton Naugle, IFSI CEO. “Tim accomplished so much for this industry and traveled countless miles to advance the seed industry. I'm personally grateful to have had Tim's guidance and mentorship over the last ten years, even when he didn't realize he was mentoring. He'll be greatly missed but not forgotten.”
IFSI donated $10,000 in Tim Johnson’s name to First the Seed Foundation, as he preferred to support the seed industry and education rather than mark his retirement with a party.
Johnson began his work in the seed industry in 1976 as an hourly employee with AgriPro. He later served as president and chairman of the board for Seed Genetics, Inc. until the company entered a strategic alliance with IFSI in 2003.
“It is time for me to retire,” said Johnson. “It has been a great experience working for IFSI and serving seed companies around the world. I had a huge opportunity to meet people, talk about seed and help provide seed in many countries. I worked in the seed industry with three goals: find the win-win, make money, and have fun. I was able to do all three at IFSI.”
During his four decades in the seed industry, Johnson served as president of the International Seed Federation and received Lifetime Honorary Member Award with both ISF and ASTA. Within ASTA, he served as China working group lead, chairman of the Corn and Sorghum Seed Division, board of directors liaison to ISF and was active on numerous committees. Additionally, Johnson served on the Board of Directors for the American Seed Research Foundation and U.S. Grains Council. He also worked as a Board Member of the philanthropic QualiBasic Seed Company.
Brian Coombs joined the IFSI team earlier this year as General Manager for the Field Crops Business Unit. Brian brings over 30 years of experience in the Ag industry.
IFSI is a leading research, product development, licensing and production company serving the seed industry.
For more information about Illinois Foundation Seeds, Inc., visit ifsi.com.
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