42

Years of Leading multiple Associations in Governmental Affairs work and Strategic Management

800

plus presentations and keynotes given to audiences of 20 - 2,500 attendees at state and national events.

12

strategic plans and organizational restructures successfully led and implemented.

35

plus guest lectures at major universities and colleges on Agricultural Policy, Association Management, Key Issues Impacting American Agriculture

Looking for an effective person to assist your association or business with:

Strategic Planning - Mark has led multiple organizations in developing results based plans to reposition the organization for future success. His most recent position with the Illinois Farm Bureau as Chief Strategy Officer saw him lead the organization in a complete organizational member strategy that will position the Farm Bureau to effectively serve their members for years to come.

Building a Successful Governmental Affairs and Advocacy Program - Mark has over thirty years of success in leading organizations with Governmental Affairs, Policy Development, and Advocacy work that engage members and staff to achieve desired results. He can show you what it takes in practice, not theory, to achieve optimal outcomes that position the organization successfully.

Develop Members Into Leaders - Associations count on members that are engaged as leaders and advocates. Mark can help you develop programs that cultivate members in to becoming effective advocates and organizational leaders.

Organizational Structure That Works - Mark has led organizational restructures that maximize staff ability and skill sets to increase production, maintain high performers, and improve overall morale where people are excited about coming to work for your organization or business.

 

Boards of Directors and Staff Working Together In A Positive and Productive Way - Finding the right fit, identifying respective roles, communicating effectively, and maintaining positive professional relationships are a few of the positive outcomes that Mark can assist your business or organization in achieving. This partnership is vitally important if organizations and business are to achieve success. Mark has led Board self assessment sessions as well as staff talent assessments that resulted in positive outcomes.

Keynote Presentations on Agricultural Policy, Timely Issues Impacting American Agriculture, or How To Effectively Engage Member’s in Your Association - Mark is available to keynote for audiences of 50 to 5,000 on legislative and regulatory issues that will impact American agriculture. Need help energizing your members to take action on issues that matter to you? Mark can fire up your members to do just that!

Whether It is a one day event to revitalize your association or business or ongoing consultation to achieve the results you desire, Mark can make that happen. Contact him today.

More About Mark

Mark recently retired after a 42-year career in Agricultural association work that included the Illinois Farm Bureau, Illinois Pork Producers Association, and the American Soybean Association. He worked at Illinois Farm Bureau for 28 of those years retiring as the Chief Strategy Officer and Advisor to the President. Prior to that he was the Executive Director of the Governmental Affairs and Commodities division overseeing all of IFB’s legislative and regulatory work in the local, state, and federal arenas. He was also responsible for all work and programs in the commodity area that included livestock production, specialty crop production, agricultural trade work, agricultural research, and ag industry partnerships. He served as a county Farm Bureau manager in Stark and Macoupin counties at the beginning of his IFB career.
 
Mark was the Executive Director of the Illinois Pork Producers Association for just shy of 10 years. He was one of the main authors of the Livestock Management Facilities Act which governs livestock siting and production in Illinois still today.
 
From 1989 to 1994 Mark worked at the American Soybean Association in St. Louis MO and was involved in the creation and passage of the national soybean checkoff program.
 
Mark grew up on a grain and livestock farm west of Springfield IL. He received his undergraduate degree in business from SIU Carbondale and completed an MBA from the U of I. He and his wife Beth of 42 years have four grown children; Shane (wife Lauren) in SC, Grant(wife Laura), Logan in SC, and Molly. Mark and Beth reside in Springfield IL.
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Scott Salza

Adjunct Professor at the University of Illinois Champaign Urbana

Mark Gebhards has spoken to my Illinois Constitutional Law and Policy class for a decade.  He is one of the brightest, most knowledgeable, and highly principled individuals that I have ever met.  Mark has advocated for Illinois farmers for more than four decades and "his word is his bond.”  He  exemplifies what an outstanding interest group lobbyist and executive should be.  I am gratified to call him “my good friend.”

John Lumpe

CEO of Illinois Soybean Association

The Illinois Soybean Association is excited to currently have Mark advising us as we develop a new leadership and advocacy program for our members. He is getting results.

Richard Guebert

Immediate Past President of the Illinois Farm Bureau

Mark played a vital role in leading our organizational member strategy to reposition the Illinois Farm Bureau for success in the year’s ahead. He is an outstanding communicator and leader.