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This year the breakfast will include keynote speaker Aaron
Alejandro. His role as the current Executive Director of the Texas
FFA Foundation is just one small bullet point on an impressive
resume' of ag-related careers. Guests can look forward to a
interesting discussion from Alejandro.
The breakfast is free and open to the public. It will be well
attended by those in agricultural careers as well as local students
involved in agriculture. All are welcome but the local Farm Bureau
is requesting that you RSVP so as assure there will be enough food
to accommodate all guests. Seating is also limited so be sure to get
those RSVP's in soon.
The event starts at 7 a.m., Thursday, March 21st. See ad in Lincoln
Daily News for details.
Aaron Alejandro
Aaron Alejandro is Executive Director of the Texas FFA Foundation located in
Austin, Texas. In his non‐professional hours, Aaron consults with businesses,
organizations, education and youth clubs about ways to improve organizational
and individual performance. He has more than 30‐yrs of experience in management,
personal and professional training. As an inspirational speaker, his unique
style of delivery transcends all age groups and corporate cultures offering a
clear message of personal dynamics for success.
In his position with the Texas FFA Foundation, Aaron has established
relationships with sponsors and individuals resulting in significant stakeholder
engagement. With more than 193,000 students enrolled in agricultural science
education courses and Texas FFA membership more than 123,000 members, Aaron’s
efforts are bringing much needed "fuel” in the form of sponsorships ‐ to help
make dreams come true and doors of opportunity larger.
Aaron coordinated and established the Star Partnership and Convention Partners
Program which have established record levels of donor support. The newest
initiative MYTEXASFFA includes a dynamic website (MYTEXASFFA.ORG) and a leading
edge mobile app technology (MYTEXASFFA Mobile App) establishing benchmark
success for Texas agricultural science education and the Texas FFA – innovation
in advocacy, engagement and stakeholder connection.
In 2018, the Foundation recorded more than $11 million dollars in endowment and
financial assets. This amount represents a 266% net asset growth in financial
support since Aaron joined the organization in 2000. In the summer of 2018 at
the 90th Annual Texas FFA Convention fundraising records for the annual event
were broke and new benchmarks set. Because of its success, The Texas FFA
Foundation's development model is being used by numerous state FFA foundations.
In May 2018, Aaron joined the list of guests on KRLD's CEO Spotlight radio show
hosted by David Johnson. David’s radio show features top CEOs from around the
country weekdays at 6:20 p.m. and 5:20 a.m. on KRLD Radio. CEOs who have been a
part of the radio show include:
In March 2016, Aaron's efforts for agricultural advocacy were recognized ‐ a
visionary being acknowledged nationally through the Farm Credit 100 Fresh
Perspectives, a search to identify and honor 100 leaders who are changing rural
communities and agriculture for the better. Selected by a panel of experts on
rural matters, including Farm Credit leaders and others from around the
agriculture industry, honorees like Aaron are among the best‐of‐the‐best who are
positively shaping what is next for rural communities and agriculture.
In September 2017, Aaron was accepted into the Forbes Nonprofit Council, an
invitation‐only community for chief executives in successful nonprofit
organizations. Alejandro joins other Forbes Nonprofit Council members, who are
hand‐selected, to become part of a curated network of successful peers and get
access to a variety of exclusive benefits and resources, including the
opportunity to submit thought leadership articles and short tips on industry
‐related topics for publishing on Forbes.com. Scott Gerber, founder of Forbes
Councils, says, “We are honored to welcome Aaron into the community. Our mission
with Forbes Councils is to curate successful professionals from every industry,
creating a vetted, social capital‐driven network that helps every member make an
even greater impact on the business world.”
Aaron was a key leader in the formation of a collaboration between the Texas FFA,
Texas 4‐H, Texas Farm Bureau and the Texas Department of Agriculture called
“Texas Proud of Texas Agriculture.” This agricultural advocacy initiative
between the state’s agriculture stakeholders aims to help inform consumers and
policy makers the importance of using best practices in agriculture.
[to top of second column] |
Having served as President of the Texas FFA Association (the only Hispanic to
date to be elected to that position), consultant for the Texas Department of
Agriculture, Marketing Representative for CEV Multimedia, Ltd., District
Director for a Member of the U.S. Congress, Aaron has fostered a rich pool of
proven experience. Aaron produced seven Leadership Series videos for CEV
Multimedia, Ltd. His presentation productions of Fundamental Parliamentary
Procedure, Leadership Skills, The Power of Choice and Life
Strategies rank among the top producers nationwide. CEV estimates more than one
million viewers have watched his presentations. He is nationally known as an
effective speaker and organizational trainer.
Aaron was raised at Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch just outside of Amarillo, Texas. As
a promising youth in the midst of what could have been less than promising
circumstances, Aaron learned quickly the importance of a positive attitude. His
life is a reflection of his philosophy ‐ positive attitudes create positive
results.
While studying Agricultural Education at Texas Tech University, Aaron was
actively involved with the National Agri‐Marketing Association (NAMA),
Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow (ACT), Collegiate FFA, and he was a
charter member of Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity (pin #21). He served as a recruiter
for the Texas Tech University College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and
hosted Food, Fiber and You, a weekly television talk show produced by the
Agricultural Ambassadors, university students who speak to student assemblies,
4‐H and FFA events across Texas.
In 1983, Governor Mark White appointed Aaron to represent Texas and carry our
state flag at National Flag Day Ceremonies in Baltimore, Maryland at the
historic Fort McHenry. His duties required him to carry the banner of the Lone
Star State and then join his country at 6:00 p.m. in pausing to say the Pledge
of Allegiance (Pause for the Pledge) which is a national tradition happening on
June 14 ‐ Flag Day ‐ each year. In 1986, Governor Bill Clements once again
appointed Aaron to carry the Texas flag, making him the only individual
nationally to have represented their respective state on two occasions. In 1983,
Aaron carried the Texas Flag as a result of his participation in American Legion
Boys State ‐ one vote away for participating in Boys Nation, and then in 1986 as
Texas FFA President.
Aaron became an active part of his community having served on the Board of
Directors of the Boys & Girls Clubs, Leadership Wichita Falls and the Downtown
Rotary Club. He has served on committees for: Boy Scouts of America, Girl
Scouts, and Minority Recruitment and Retention for Midwestern State University.
As a member of Rotary International, Aaron was awarded a Paul Harris Fellow by
members of his Rotary Club. Aaron is a 1989 graduate of Leadership Wichita Falls
and was awarded the 1990 Texas Spokesperson for Agriculture. Aaron has served on
the Board of Directors of Straight Street Ministries (a city‐wide ministry for
at‐risk youth), and is currently on the board of directors of the Texas FFA
Association and Live Like Johnny Organization. Aaron is currently a member of
the Planning Committee of the Latinos in Agriculture Leadership Conference.
In 2011, Aaron played a small role in the feature film Deep in the Heart. The
role put him on stage with Val Kilmer, John Gries, Elaine Hendrix and D.B.
Sweeny. The movie depicts the true life story of Mr. Dick Wallrath. Mr. Wallrath
and Aaron have forged a great friendship. Wallrath is the largest individual
donor in the history of the Texas FFA Foundation, donating millions in
scholarships to help deserving Texas FFA members and making their academic
dreams a reality. Between the Texas FFA and 4‐H, Mr. Wallrath has invested more
than $20 million in Texas young people.
In 2012, Aaron added a new milestone to his career as a participant in the
setting of a World Record. He was one of more than 850 people who participated
in the La Quinta Mattress Human Dominoes which took place in New Orleans ‐
breaking the previous World Record of 550 mattress human dominoes. Aaron was
#381 in the World Record setting event. Aaron was in New Orleans participating
in the La Quinta International Conference.
An avid sportsman, Aaron was featured along with Texas FFA President – Blake
Vineyard on The Prieferts television show seen on the Sportsman Channel. Aaron
harvested an Aoudad sheep in the majestic Palo Duro Canyon. He supports
conservation and best practices to ensure the longevity of our natural
resources.
Aaron is blessed with a beautiful family and spends much of his time with his
wife, Rebecca, his sons: Chandler and William Jaxson; and his daughters: Abigail
and Keagan. He's especially excited about his family's newest addition,
grandson, Liam. Aaron and his family attend Colonial Church. He enjoys the
outdoors, hunting and fishing. Aaron recently wrapped up coaching six
seasons of his son’s soccer team, The Warriors – William has moved on to
competitive play. Aaron is an accomplished martial artist and trains with
Warriors Way International.
Aaron has shared his tools for achieving success among businesses and
organizations in more than 800 cities across Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, New
Mexico, Washington, Maryland, Minnesota, Georgia, Indiana, Idaho, Maine,
Pennsylvania, Illinois, Washington, D.C., Arizona, New York, Florida, Utah,
Wyoming and a major keynote address at the International Association of Fairs &
Expositions in Las Vegas, Nevada.
[Alejandro bio provided by Farm
Bureau] |
