Johnson named interim IFCA president

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — The Illinois Fertilizer and Chemical Association has named KJ Johnson as its interim president.

In this role, Johnson will serve as CEO. He will manage the overall operation and resources of IFCA, including oversight of regulatory and legislative issues and the development of programs that promote stewardship and safety for the nutrient and agrichemical industry.

Johnson replaces IFCA President Jean Payne after her retirement on March 31. Payne had served as IFCA president since 2004.

Since 2013, Johnson has served as the director of government and industry relations for IFCA, where he was responsible for carrying out the legislative and regulatory policy objectives. He fostered positive working relationships with state and federal legislators and agency officials, as well as with other industry organizations.

From 2001 to 2013, Johnson served as the agricultural liaison for Rep. Tim Johnson, assisting the congressman and constituents with policy issues including agriculture and environmental regulations before the House Agriculture Committee.

He grew up on a farm in Champaign and Vermilion counties and earned a degree in agriculture and political science from Illinois State University.

“KJ has excelled as the IFCA’s director of government and industry relations for the last eight years. He has incredible relationships with government agency staff, state and federal legislators, other organizations and most importantly our members. The IFCA board of directors is very confident in KJ taking over as president, but the interim title will allow both the IFCA board and KJ to make sure this is the correct fit long term,” said Tadgh Davis, IFCA board chairman.

The IFCA represents the crop production input supply and service industry including ag retailers, crop protection and fertilizer manufacturers, distributors and equipment suppliers.

IFCA’s mission is to assist and represent its 1,000-plus members on issues that impact their business and promote the sound stewardship and utilization of agricultural inputs.