Farm Bureau Executive VP Rhedona Rose to retire after 37 years
Tennessee Farm Bureau Executive Vice President Rhedona Rose will retire at the end of the year after 37 years of dedicated service.
A Smith County native, Rose worked her way up from intern to executive vice president over almost four decades.
She has served on the forefront of dynamic change, providing unwavering leadership in the agriculture industry during her tenure.
Rose has positively impacted Tennessee Farm Bureau, Tennessee agriculture, American agriculture and much more, according to a Farm Bureau press release.
She has served on numerous boards, committees and advisory councils, including the Tennessee Tech Board of Trustees and the University of Tennessee Board of Trustees.
“Being a part of the Farm Bureau team has been an absolute privilege," Rose said. "When I embarked on this journey with Tennessee Farm Bureau, I couldn’t foresee how I would be blessed every step of the way. Farm Bureau's success is a testament to the organization’s soul – the many dedicated volunteer leaders across the state and the organization’s heartbeat – the devoted staff.
"I have no doubt the organization will continue to excel in fulfilling its mission.”
Began career as intern
Rose was named executive vice president in December of 2010. In October of 2017, the state board of directors chose her to take on the responsibilities of chief administrative officer, while keeping her title as executive vice president and leading the Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation.
She began her career with the organization in 1986 as an intern in the department of information before being hired as a research assistant for what is now the public policy division.
She was named director and chief lobbyist in 1995.
“There aren’t enough words to thank Rhedona for all she has done for Tennessee Farm Bureau and Tennessee agriculture over the past 37 years,” said Tennessee Farm Bureau President Eric Mayberry. “She has left an indelible mark and her extraordinary legacy will continue to impact the organization for generations. We will miss her leadership, but we wish her all the best in a much-deserved retirement.”
From early beginnings in 4-H to Texas A&M
Born in Smith County, Rose spent a large part of her youth in Putnam County, where she was active in 4-H competing in the sheep project and FFA serving as state treasurer in 1980-1981.
Rose attended Tennessee Tech University where she majored in agriculture and graduated in 1984.
She was an agriculture educator in Loudon County before receiving her master’s degree from Texas A&M University in 1986.
"She has worked tirelessly to shape policy which benefited Tennessee farmers and rural people and has always been highly respected by lawmakers, industry partners and farmers across the state," the release said.
"Rhedona Rose has sacrificed and served the nation’s largest Farm Bureau remarkably, and there’s no doubt the organization is better because of her nearly four decades of influence."
New executive VP similar background as Rose
The Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation State Board of Directors have selected Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation Director of Membership Bryan Wright to replace Rose as executive vice president.
Wright began his career in 1993 as an insurance agent in Smith County with Tennessee Farmers Mutual Insurance Company. He was hired as Tennessee Farm Bureau’s member benefits coordinator in 2001 and became associate director of organization in 2003.
In 2014, he took over as director of the membership division. As a White County native, Wright graduated from Tennessee Tech University with a bachelor’s degree in agriculture in 1992.
He and his wife, Regina, live in the Brush Creek community of Smith County where they are members of New Middleton Baptist Church and have two adult sons, John and Jack.
This article originally appeared on The Daily Herald: Farm Bureau Executive VP Rhedona Rose to retire after 37 years
