Joniskan new president of Indiana State Poultry Association

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — At the end of October, the Indiana State Poultry Association will have a new individual in the president’s position for the first time in 28 years.

Rebecca Eifert Joniskan will succeed Paul Brennan as president of the ISPA when he retires in October after more than two decades of serving the poultry association.

Joniskan and Brennan opened up about their work with the Indiana poultry association and its producers.

What does the Indiana State Poultry Association do?

Brennan: The Indiana State Poultry Association does some of the same things that many other agriculture groups do. ISPA represents poultry producers. Indiana ranks second nationwide in egg layers, No. 1 in duck production and No. 4 in the turkey industry. The ISPA doesn't do a lot of promotion stuff since it doesn't really have a check-off program, but we do a lot of policy items.

Joniskan: Advocacy for the poultry industry is part of the ISPA, so that folks know the association is there.

What has your experience been like serving the ISPA for the past 28 years?

Brennan: I enjoyed the work so much and respect the people I have worked with. It has been a pleasure. The first seven years I served as the president of ISPA were challenging, because the association was struggling, but over the years the association has become strong. Indiana has an extremely supportive agriculture industry that supports all the commodity groups and associations in the state.

As you prepare to retire and begin to show Joniskan the ropes, what are the thoughts running through your head?

Brennan: Through her work with the Indiana Department of Environmental Management over the years, she has actually been very involved with the Indiana State Poultry Association. I am excited about her coming in as president. I've invested 28 years to the ISPA and want to see the association continue to grow, and Becky is the one to make that happen.

How are you feeling about becoming the president of the ISPA in October?

Joniskan: Brennan is an exceptional leader, and I'm looking forward to picking up the reins. I hope to continue to make the association strong, but also diverse, as well. Indiana has a strong broiler market and we will continue to work with them and help it grow.