Neilson C. Conklin, President

Neilson C. Conklin was named President of Farm Foundation in January 2008. Dr. Conklin previously served as director of the market and trade economics division of USDA’s Economic Research Service. In that role, he initiated the ERS research program on the economics of bioenergy, and directed development of new modeling frameworks on global trade policy analysis. Before joining ERS in 1999, Dr. Conklin spent six years at the Farm Credit Council as vice president and chief economist. He previously worked at the Office of Management and Budget, and has had teaching assignments at Arizona State University, the University of Arizona and at Colorado State University.
E-mail Neil Conklin

 

 

 

Sheldon R. Jones, Vice President

Sheldon Jones joined the Farm Foundation staff as Vice President in    October 2008. Sheldon brings to the Foundation extensive experience in public policy and agriculture.  Through his work in state government, he has been involved in developing collaborative working relationships with local and national government agencies, worked on numerous natural resource issues, and worked extensively on border issues with Mexico.  Prior to joining Farm Foundation, he served as deputy commissioner of the Colorado Department of Agriculture.  From 2002 until 2004, he was executive vice president of the Agri-Business Council of Arizona.  From 1997 until 2002, he was director of the Arizona Department of Agriculture. During his term, he was active in the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, serving as president of the organization in 2002. Sheldon worked in the banking industry before beginning his career in government service.  He earned his bachelors and masters degrees at Arizona State University. E-mail Sheldon Jones.

 

Mary Thompson, Vice President, Communications 

Mary Thompson joined the Farm Foundation staff in July 2002.  Prior to that she was on the staff of Farm Journal, where she was business editor for 11 years. She has 28 years of journalism experience with local and regional newspapers and agricultural publications. Thompson earned a bachelor of science degree in journalism at Iowa State University, and has done graduate studies at the University of Pennsylvania. Her professional work has received regional and national recognition.
E-mail Mary Thompson

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vicki Liszewski, Assistant for Finance

Vicki Liszewski joined the Farm Foundation staff in 2005.  Her primary responsibility at the Foundation is financial recordkeeping. She also monitors office operations and provides support to senior staff. Ms. Liszewski came to Farm Foundation from a software firm where she was office manager and bookkeeper. She  spent the previous 13 years with the firm's parent company as Art Director designing  and editing web sites, software manuals and corporate print material. Prior to that, she spent many years as a graphic designer and taught high school and elementary art. A native of Wisconsin, she received a B.S.E. degree in art from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater with K-12 certification.
E-mail Vicki Liszewski 

 

 

 

 

Linda Singer, Executive Assistant

Linda Singer joined the Farm Foundation staff in November 2008 as Executive Assistant. Her previous experience includes five years with Exelon Corporation of Chicago, and 12 years with the McDonald's Corporation, Oak Brook, Ill.
E-mail Linda Singer.
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Farm Foundation Past Presidents/Managing Directors