AMES, Iowa — The Iowa Beef Industry Council (IBIC) is excited to welcome Rusty Gibbs, Monroe, Iowa, as Director of Industry Relations. Gibbs will be working closely with beef farmers in and around Iowa as well as key industry leaders to share the value of the beef checkoff investment.

IBIC Chairman Steve Rehder of Hawarden comments, “Leading the Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) program in Iowa will continue to be an important aspect, as will establishing relationships with industry professionals and livestock markets. We are happy to have Gibbs working on behalf of both the national and state checkoff programs.”

Gibbs holds a bachelor’s degree from Iowa State University in Agriculture Education with several years of experience in the beef business. He has been involved in the beef business since a young age with his family working on a variety of farms and ranches across the U.S. Additionally, he has held several sales positions ensuring positive relationships with customers.  He has served as a 4-H leader for two years and through coaching has been influential to many young people.

Gibbs, who joined the IBIC staff on April 16, has a passion for the beef industry and expressed, “this is an opportunity to serve the beef producers in the state of Iowa by advancing the industry’s mission of growing beef demand whether locally, nationally or globally. This allows me to have a hand in educating the next generation of producers and consumers.”

“We understand the critical role this position plays working with our farmer investors and truly being a friend in the field,” comments Chris Freland, Executive Director of IBIC. “Having Gibbs working as part of our team with his background in the beef business and relationship management experience to advance our programs throughout the state of Iowa will be valuable.”

Gibbs can be reached at the Iowa Beef Industry Council or via email at rusty@iabeef.org.

— Iowa Beef Industry Council

For more news from Iowa, click here.