Paul Lyons of South Charleston has been named vice president of membership for Ohio Farm Bureau Federation. As a member of Executive Vice President Adam Sharp’s cabinet, Lyons will be responsible for developing and leading comprehensive membership strategies; managing services that are essential to members; overseeing field operations, membership sales efforts and health benefits programs; and managing regional supervisors and the field team.  

Lyons joined the Ohio Farm Bureau staff in 1994 as an organization director serving four counties in northwest Ohio. In 1999 he became a regional supervisor responsible for organization directors in multiple counties. In 2016 he became senior director of membership. Prior to his Farm Bureau career he worked as a veterinary technician, farm store assistant manager and lawn service territory manager.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in agriculture from Ohio State University and an associate’s degree from Columbus State Community College in applied science in animal health. He is a member of the South Charleston United Methodist Church where he served as a trustee, finance chair and as a member of the choir. He was involved with Southeastern Athletic Boosters and served as president of the South Charleston Community Club and as a trustee for the South Charleston Community Park. He and his wife, Diane, are the parents of one son.   

Lyons’ new role is a part of Sharp’s actions to realign staff teams and departments around key strategic plan areas of advocacy, membership, communications, financial strength, strategic partnerships and organizational excellence. The process began shortly after Sharp was named OFBF executive vice president in 2016.

Ohio Farm Bureau is the state’s largest and most inclusive farm and food membership organization. Its mission is working together for Ohio farmers to advance agriculture and strengthen our communities.

This is a news release for use by journalists. Questions should be directed to Joe Cornely, 614-246-8230.

Editors: high resolution photo of Mr. Lyons is available to accompany this story.

The issue of property taxation remains as one of the biggest challenges our members face today. Ensuring agricultural property is valued for its agricultural potential and not development is critical to the continued success of Ohio agriculture.
Matt Aultman's avatar
Matt Aultman

Darke County Farm Bureau

Giving farmers a voice
The plan we are on is great. It’s comparable to my previous job's plan, and we are a sole proprietor.
Kevin Holy's avatar
Kevin Holy

Geauga County Farm Bureau

Ohio Farm Bureau Health Benefits Plan
We really appreciate what Farm Bureau has done to get people interested in this line of work and workforce development and getting people interested in this industry.
Jody Brown Boyd's avatar
Jody Brown Boyd

Brown's Family Farm Market

Finding farm labor
I appreciate the benefit of having a strong voice in my corner. The extras that are included in membership are wonderful, but I'm a member because of the positive impact to my local and state agricultural communities.
Ernie Welch's avatar
Ernie Welch

Van Wert County Farm Bureau

Strong communities
We work terrifically with the Ashtabula County Farm Bureau, hosting at least one to two outreach town hall events every year to educate new farmers and existing farmers on traditional CAUV and woodlands.
David Thomas's avatar
David Thomas

Ashtabula County Auditor

CAUV: Past, present and future
Because we are younger farmers just starting out, Farm Bureau has a lot of good opportunities and resources to help us grow in the future.
Hannah Kiser's avatar
Hannah Kiser

Sandusky County Farm Bureau

Farm Bureau involvement
Through the Select Partner program, we became educated in farm insurance and weren't just selling policies. It became more and more clear why farmers need an advocate like Ohio Farm Bureau.
Chad Ruhl's avatar
Chad Ruhl

Farm manager, CSI Insurance

Select Partner Program
So many of the issues that OFBF and its members are advocating for are important to all Ohioans. I look at OFBF as an agricultural watchdog advocating for farmers and rural communities across Ohio.
Mary Smallsreed's avatar
Mary Smallsreed

Trumbull County Farm Bureau

Advocacy
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