ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — Thomas Marten will start as the executive director of the Angus Foundation Jan. 2, 2020, and will be responsible for leadership and oversight to the growth and development of the Angus Foundation. Marten joins the Foundation from the FarmHouse Foundation, where he served as the director of the FH Excellence Fund.
“I’m very excited to have Thomas joining our organization to lead the Angus Foundation,” said Mark McCully, American Angus Association CEO. “Thomas comes with a strong resume of philanthropy and fundraising, and couples that with a background and passion for agriculture.”
Prior to his current role at FarmHouse, Marten was the FarmHouse director of advancement after serving as the executive director of the Stark County Farm Bureau in Toulon, Ill. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in agricultural sciences from Southern Illinois University and grew up on a diversified farm in Illinois.
“I am honored and excited to join Team Angus and work with our many loyal donors to continue to increase the incredible impact the Angus Foundation is making in growing leadership, investing in research and providing opportunities for the next generation of cattlemen and cattlewomen in the Angus breed,” Marten said. “It is evident farmers and ranchers across the United States are passionate to support the continued success of the Angus breed. I look forward to bringing my experiences in non-profit development and leadership to the Angus Foundation.”
Established in 1980, the Angus Foundation is an affiliate of the American Angus Association® and supports programs involving youth, education and research to prepare future leaders and ensure the future of the Angus breed. The Angus Foundation invested $611,450 in youth and education programs, with a total of 1,809 participants in 2019 alone. The Foundation also invested $126,000 in research to benefit the Angus breed and awarded $286,700 in scholarships in fiscal year 2019.
“I believe Thomas’ energy and experience will be a great asset to the Angus Foundation and the great mission it supports,” McCully said.
For more information about the Angus Foundation, please visit AngusFoundation.org.
— Rachel Robinson, Angus Communications
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