Longtime agricultural leader, employee to lead Texas Farm Bureau and Affiliated Companies

(WACO, Texas)–The Texas Farm Bureau (TFB) board of directors named Dr. Whit Weems as the next executive director/chief operating officer (COO) of TFB and Affiliated Companies.

Weems currently serves as TFB director of Organization, where he oversees two program areas: leadership and development and education and outreach. He provides leadership for initiatives such as Young Farmer & Rancher, AgLead, Collegiate Farm Bureau, Agriculture in the Classroom and youth and urban outreach efforts.

Weems will assume the duties of the executive director/COO position on Dec. 6. Current TFB and Affiliated Companies Executive Director/COO Si Cook is officially retiring in January 2027.

“Dr. Weems brings a wealth of experience to TFB and associated industries, and we look forward to the leadership he will provide to our organization,” TFB President Russell Boening said.

Weems, 48, was previously active on TFB’s Young Farmer & Rancher Advisory Committee and served on the boards of Hamilton, Comanche and Erath County Farm Bureaus. Weems is also a graduate of Texas Farm Bureau AgLead XII.

He began his professional career as a county AgriLife Extension agent in Falls County focusing on 4-H Youth Development. He continued his 14-year Extension career serving Hamilton, Comanche and Erath counties as an Agricultural and Natural Resources agent.

During this time, he was responsible for the development of educational programming and coordinated numerous volunteers. Weems also conducted applied research and result demonstrations on surface water quality, soil fertility, small grains, feral hogs and more.

He later went on to serve as an assistant professor in the Agricultural and Consumer Sciences department at Tarleton State University. There, he was responsible for demonstrating a record of ongoing research, scholarship and creative activity in the areas of Extension and industry methods, volunteer management, adult educational programs/personnel development and ethical/environmental research. He advised undergraduate students, served on graduate student committees and was the advisor to the Collegiate 4-H program and Texans for Christ student organizations.

Weems is currently serving on the Extraco Events Center board of directors. He previously served as an active member of the Texas County Agricultural Agents Association, as a director on the Tri County Agribusiness Association and Texas FFA Association, and director and agricultural chairman for the Stephenville Chamber of Commerce.

"I am honored and excited by this opportunity,” Weems said. “I look forward to serving the board of directors, the members of Texas Farm Bureau and the employees of our organization and affiliated companies."

Weems received his Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Services and Development and his Master of Science in Agricultural Education from Tarleton State University. He attended Texas A&M University and Texas Tech University where he pursued his Doctor of Education in Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication.

Weems and his wife, Mandy, have three daughters.