Kevin Hensley has been named director of Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation’s Public Policy Division announced TFBF Executive Vice President Rhedona Rose.
As director, Hensley will lead and oversee Farm Bureau’s grassroots policy development and policy implementation activities including working with county farm bureau leadership, state and federal lawmakers, agency personnel and the various agricultural commodity organizations.
“Kevin is a proven leader, with a passion for agriculture and a forward-thinking approach on policy issues,” said Rose. “He has gained a wealth of experience during his time at Farm Bureau and is a trusted source of information for members, lawmakers and agriculture industry partners. I am confident his leadership will build upon past Farm Bureau successes and serve the public policy team and Tennessee farmers extremely well.”
Hensley has been the main point of contact for Farm Bureau to federal agencies and has coordinated and planned logistics for the organization’s meetings with Tennessee’s congressional delegation. Prior to working in public policy, he worked directly with county Farm Bureau leaders as a field director in lower East Tennessee beginning in 2012.
“The advocacy work of our public policy division is critical to our organization,” said Tennessee Farm Bureau President Eric Mayberry. “Kevin has been a valuable part of that team, and I look forward to the difference he will make as director of public policy.”
Hensley recently completed the Leadership Tennessee Next program which focuses on personal and professional development for existing and emerging leaders across a diverse range of careers.
“Farmers take on many challenges when it comes to operating their businesses to provide for their families,” said Hensley. “Advocating for solutions to these challenges inspires me. I’m honored for this opportunity and humbled to serve farmers through our grassroots policy.”
Hensley is a native of Roane County. He was active in leadership organizations throughout his youth and served as Tennessee 4-H State Council president. He has a bachelor’s degree in agricultural economics and a minor in political science from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. While in college, he interned with Tennessee Farm Bureau as well as the Tennessee State Legislature.
Hensley and his wife, Lindsey, along with their two daughters, live in Columbia and are members of Maury Hills Church where they are active in several leadership and volunteer roles.
The previous director, Stefan Maupin, was recently named the executive director of the Tennessee Soybean Promotion Council.
