Bernie Staller, Wisconsin - Madison, announced that he will retire in the
fall of 2004 after serving 13 years as chief operation officer of the
National FFA Organization and National FFA Foundation. Staller has devoted
37 years to agricultural education, 13 of them with the FFA organization and
27 with the FFA Foundation. “The timing for this decision feels right,” said Staller. “The National FFA Organization is fiscally sounds, FFA membership is at a 19-year high, our operations are fully staffed and we have exciting developments on the horizon. I can’t imagine a better time to look forward than during the diamond anniversary of the organization.”
Staller began his career as an agribusiness instructor and FFA advisor at Janesville-Parker High School in Janesville, WA., where he taught for 11 years. During that time, enrollment in his agricultural education program grew from 40 to nearly 500 students, and the faculty expanded from one to five instructors. Staller next joined the National FFA Foundation in Madison, WA, as assistant executive director in July 1977, and was subsequently named executive director April 1, 1979. He assumed responsibilities as chief operating officer for both the National FFA Organization and the National FFA Foundation, March 19, 1991.
During his tenure as chief operating officer, Staller guided the National FFA Organization through structural changes, helped end a 15-year decline in national FFA membership and stabilized the organization’s financial standing. He also reorganized and streamlined national FFA staffing and operations while increasing efficiency and broadening the range of services provided to state FFA associations and local chapters.
Staller managed the successful relocation of national FFA business operations and staff from Alexandria, VA, to Indianapolis in 1998. In 1999, Staller oversaw the relocation of the national FFA convention to Louisville, KY, after the 51,000-person gathering outgrew its location in Kansas City, MO. These accomplishments led to fiscal savings and increased service levels for FFA members, teachers and state associations.
Following his retirement this fall, Staller and his wife will relocate to southern Wisconsin to be closer to family and friends. His plans include devoting more time to this passions of gardening, fishing, gourmet French cooking and building fine Shaker furniture in his workshop.
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