Ohio Farm Bureau staff member promotions

Ohio Farm Bureau staff members Adam Carney, Susan Gaughan, Ty Higgins and Kelsie Schwyn have been elevated to senior leadership positions within Ohio’s largest farm and food organization.

Adam Carney has been promoted to senior director of membership sales and marketing for Ohio Farm Bureau. His almost 15 years of sales and sales leadership experience will be used to help grow Farm Bureau by developing and implementing comprehensive membership marketing campaigns. He provides direct sales support and delivers on-going sales training to ensure membership growth. He has been Ohio Farm Bureau’s director of membership sales since 2017.

Susan Gaughan has been named Ohio Farm Bureau’s senior director of human resources. She will provide both strategic and operational leadership with the responsibility for all human resources functions. Gaughan is responsible for setting, enforcing and evaluating legally compliant human resources policies, procedures and best practices, as well as developing and cultivating an organizational culture of integrity, diversity, learning and respect. Gaughan has 17 years of service with Ohio Farm Bureau.

Ty Higgins has advanced to senior director of communications and media relations for Ohio Farm Bureau Federation. He serves as a spokesperson for the organization and is the primary point of contact for journalists reporting on farm, food, environmental and public policy issues. Higgins leads Farm Bureau’s social media efforts and contributes content across Farm Bureau’s print and broadcast channels. In addition, he works with Farm Bureau members as they communicate with public officials and consumers. He has been Ohio Farm Bureau’s director of media relations since 2019.

Kelsie Schwyn has been named senior director of strategic partnerships and Nationwide services for Ohio Farm Bureau. She is a member of Ohio Farm Bureau’s Strategic Partnerships team, which develops and manages key relationships and partnerships within the farm and food sector and with businesses, member associations and commodity groups. In her role, she will be developing new partnerships that create value on behalf of members and partner organizations’ brands and continuing to focus on strengthening the impact of Ohio Farm Bureau and Nationwide’s partnership within the agriculture community.  

Ohio Farm Bureau’s mission is working together for Ohio farmers to advance agriculture and strengthen our communities. Learn more at ofbf.org.

To grow a network and gain perspective and knowledge in the industry through personal and professional development has been invaluable. Every day I learn and grow.
Ryanna Tietje's avatar
Ryanna Tietje

Henry County Farm Bureau

Farm Bureau connections
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
Farm Bureau is what really got the word out. It’s been one of their goals to get this done.
Bill and Charlotte Wachtman's avatar
Bill and Charlotte Wachtman

Henry County

10-year campaign for safer roads
I could not have done it without the resources I have found through Farm Bureau.
Gretchan Francis's avatar
Gretchan Francis

Trumbull County Farm Bureau

Bringing the farm back to life
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