By BRENT MARTIN
St. Joseph Post
Former National Association of Farm Broadcasting Executive Director and former KFEQ Farm Director Tom Brand has a new job.
Brand has been hired as the new director of the St. Joseph Community Alliance, saying he’s excited to get started.
“Beth and I have called St. Joseph home since 1997, which is over half of our lives, and we’ve always been excited about what’s taking place in the community,” Brand tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “And I’m really excited about what is not only taking place now, but what the future really holds for St. Joseph and the surrounding area.”
Brand worked for 15 years as KFEQ’s Farm Director. After that, he moved to lead the National Association of Farm Broadcasters for 12 years before stepping down at the end of last year.
Brand says his past experience as a broadcaster and executive have prepared him for his new role.
“I’ve had a chance to work in the profit sector. I’ve had a chance to work with public relations, whether that was at KFEQ or even at NAFB. I know about managing association work and also managing expectations,” Brand says. “The research that’s involved with the community survey that takes place every other year is something I’ve had exposure with.”
Brand says the St. Joseph 2040 Plan will be his guide. Brand says a look at the past gives residents a glimpse of what is leading St. Joseph today.
“And realize that there’s something special that’s going on in St. Joseph and that the things in this plan are obtainable,” according to Brand. “It’s just making sure that people can get on the same page, catch that vision, and be excited about what can be done.”
Brand succeeds Tama Wagner, who served in the role the past five years. Brand officially begins his duties on July 29th.
The St. Joseph Community Alliance works in partnership with the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce, the City of St. Joseph, Buchanan County, the St. Joseph School District, the St. Joseph Convention and Visitors Bureau, Mosaic Life Care, Missouri Western State University, the United Way of Greater St. Joseph, and the 139th Airlift Wing of the Missouri Air National Guard.
The Community Alliance director coordinates government relations and advocacy efforts. The director conducts the community survey and leads the Imagine St. Joseph 2040 plan.
You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.