Joanne Ivy, president and CEO of the American Egg Board (AEB), will retire after 40 years in the egg industry. Ivy’s retirement will be effective December 31.
Ivy started her egg industry career in North Carolina as the director of the North Carolina Egg Association, followed by the next 29 years with AEB. She has served AEB as its president and CEO since 2007.
During almost three decades of service to America’s egg farmers, Ivy created the Egg Product Marketing, Retail Merchandising, and State Support Program. During her tenure as president and CEO, the egg farmers’ image campaign, known as the Good Egg Project, was launched; the Foodservice and Egg Product Marketing programs were enhanced; and AEB’s highly successful marketing campaigns, including its most recent Wake Up to Eggs with (Kevin) Bacon campaign, were executed. She also strengthened the prominence and integrity of the Egg Nutrition Center and its multi-million dollar nutrition research program that culminated in this year’s historic dietary guidelines recommendations.
“Working with the egg industry for the past 40 years has been my life and those in this industry are family,” said Ivy. “I love my job and love this industry, which has made this decision very difficult. However, I feel it is time for me to explore my personal interests and new opportunities, while healthy and able.”
AEB has played a major role in increasing egg demand profitability for the egg industry and has delivered a strong return on investment for America’s egg farmer. Ivy feels there is no better time to leave than when AEB is at its best.
“I have hired an incredible marketing team – an extraordinary staff, working with amazing agencies and consultants,” she adds. “I feel confident leaving while AEB and the egg industry are at such a high point.”
AEB Chairman Paul Sauder responded to Ivy’s announcement by saying: “This reminds me of a quarterback who retires after winning the Super Bowl. We have just won the Super Bowl with all the recent incredible news in our industry. We wish Joanne the best and appreciate her many years of service.”
And AEB’s Senior Vice President of Marketing Kevin Burkum added: “Her staff has truly appreciated her leadership. She has encouraged us to take risks and find new ways to increase egg demand.”
AEB’s Executive Committee will conduct a search for the incoming president and CEO.
