Oregon FFA CEO

Kjer Kizer

Kjer Kizer was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Oregon FFA Association in 2024, bringing a dynamic professional background and a deep commitment to youth leadership development. While she did not grow up in a traditional agricultural setting, Kjer found her place in FFA during high school, where she discovered a passion for leadership, service, and personal growth. She went on to serve as an Oregon FFA State Officer from 2000–2001 and had the opportunity to present at National FFA Conferences.

Kjer credits FFA as a foundational influence in her life and career, shaping the leadership skills and mindset that have guided her professional journey. She often reflects on the organization’s impact, noting that her experiences in FFA played a significant role in her development and long-term success.

After graduating from Oregon State University in 2005, Kjer built a diverse career spanning multiple industries and leadership roles. Most recently, she served on the Executive Leadership Team at Veterinary Service Inc. (VSI), a nationwide pet and veterinary distribution company and a valued partner of the Oregon FFA Foundation.

Kjer brings a deep respect for Oregon’s agricultural education community, strengthened by personal connections—her husband is a agricultural educator, and her father-in-law is a retired ag teacher. These relationships, combined with her own FFA experience, fuel her passion for supporting teachers and students across the state.

As CEO, Kjer is honored to lead an organization that has had such a profound impact on her life. She is committed to advancing the mission of Oregon FFA and expanding opportunities for the next generation of student leaders. For Kjer, returning to serve FFA is both a professional milestone and a personal homecoming—one she approaches with gratitude, purpose, and enthusiasm.

Oregon FFA Financial Manager

Beth Sprague

Beth grew up in Pleasant Hill, Oregon, where she was deeply rooted in agriculture as part of a large rural family. Those early experiences instilled in her a strong appreciation for hard work, community, and the impact of agricultural education.

In 2020, Beth returned to her agricultural roots by joining the Oregon FFA team as the Financial Manager. She brings extensive experience in nonprofit financial management, having overseen finances for several organizations across Oregon. Beth is passionate about supporting missions that invest in youth and create meaningful opportunities for the next generation.

In her role, Beth is responsible for managing the financial operations of both the Oregon FFA Association and Foundation, including budgeting, accounting, and financial oversight to ensure long-term sustainability and responsible stewardship of resources.

Outside of work, Beth enjoys spending time in her garden, cooking for her four children, and serving as a longtime coach for her local high school cross country team—continuing her commitment to supporting and mentoring young people in her community.

Association Executive Secretary

Lee Letsch

Lee’s passion for agricultural education and youth leadership began as an active member of both 4-H and FFA at Dallas High School. Since then, she has remained deeply connected to the organization through continued involvement in local and state FFA Alumni groups.

Raised on a family farm, Lee developed a strong foundation in agriculture while caring for pigs, cattle, and horses. That legacy continues today with her two teenage sons, as their family raises meat goats, sheep, and pigs—keeping agriculture an integral part of their daily lives.

Lee began her career with the Oregon FFA Association in 2003 and has served in a variety of roles, gaining extensive experience in program development, leadership training, and organizational management. Today, she serves as the Executive Secretary, where she provides strategic direction and oversight for statewide FFA programs. In this role, she works closely with Oregon’s agricultural educators, the Board of Directors, and the State Officer Team to deliver impactful leadership and career development opportunities for students.

Lee is deeply committed to the mission of FFA and finds her greatest fulfillment in supporting students as they discover their potential, build confidence, and develop lifelong skills through agricultural education.

Foundation Development Director

Betsy Hartley

Betsy grew up on a small farm on the edge of Los Angeles County, where her early experiences in agriculture helped shape her lifelong passion for the industry. Her family raised table grapes, which she sold at local farmers markets to earn money for her 4-H project animals—an experience that instilled both an entrepreneurial spirit and a deep appreciation for agriculture.

She pursued that passion at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, earning a degree in Agricultural Education and Communications. Betsy has always been driven by a commitment to helping others understand where their food and fiber come from and the vital role agriculture plays in everyday life.

Betsy brings a strong professional background in fundraising, marketing, and alumni and stakeholder relations. Her career includes work with the National 4-H Council, the March of Dimes, and 13 years in the Dean’s Office for the College of Agricultural Sciences at Oregon State University. It was during her time at OSU that she became actively involved as a volunteer with the Oregon FFA program.

Today, Betsy serves as the Development Officer for the Oregon FFA Foundation. In this role, she builds meaningful relationships with donors and partners to support the growth and impact of agricultural education across the state. For Betsy, this work represents a full-circle moment—bringing together her personal roots in agriculture and her professional expertise in development.

Outside of work, Betsy enjoys spending time on the trails, often running through the outdoors she loves—usually covered in dirt and smiling from ear to ear.

Local Teacher Success Specialist

Brooklyn Bush

Brooklyn grew up in Canby, Oregon, where her passion for agriculture and agricultural education was ignited through active involvement in both 4-H and FFA. Those early experiences shaped her commitment to student leadership, hands-on learning, and community connection.

She continued her journey at Oregon State University, earning her degrees in agricultural education. Following graduation, Brooklyn spent ten years as an agricultural educator and FFA advisor at Tillamook High School. During that time, she was dedicated to helping students develop their skills, confidence, and leadership abilities while also strengthening connections within the local agricultural community.

Today, Brooklyn serves as the Local Teacher Success Specialist for Oregon FFA, where she supports agricultural educators across the state. In this role, she works to empower teachers to thrive in their classrooms, build strong programs, and sustain successful, rewarding careers in agricultural education.

Outside of her professional role, Brooklyn enjoys spending time with her husband, Hayden, and their son, Brayden, on their family farm in Tillamook, where agriculture continues to be a central part of their lives.

Career Development Specialist

Leila Graves, PhD

Dr. Leila Graves grew up in the Bay Area of California, where she developed an early interest in science and education. While she did not have the opportunity to participate in FFA during high school, she was introduced to the organization during her graduate studies at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. She was immediately impressed by the depth, relevance, and impact of agricultural education and quickly became a strong advocate for its role in student development.

Leila is passionate about ensuring all students have access to high-quality educational experiences and believes deeply in the power of the FFA model to support student growth, leadership, and career readiness. She earned her doctorate from Colorado State University, where her research focused on integrating STEM concepts into Common Core curriculum using plant science as a foundation.

Since 2019, Leila has served as the Career Development Coordinator for the Oregon FFA Association. In this role, she collaborates with industry partners and agricultural educators to design and deliver meaningful Career Development Events (CDEs) that reflect current industry standards and workforce needs. She also works closely with the CDE Advisory Committee to enhance resources and support for Oregon agriculture teachers, both in traditional classroom settings and through distance learning.

Leila is dedicated to creating relevant, engaging opportunities that prepare students for success in agriculture and beyond, while strengthening the connection between education and industry.

Leadership Development Coordinator

Justin Sharp

Foundation Administrator

Joanna Woods

Joanna grew up in Hood River, Oregon, where her passion for agriculture and leadership was cultivated through active involvement in both 4-H and FFA. She had the honor of serving as an Oregon FFA State Officer from 2001–2002, an experience that had a lasting impact on her personal and professional development. FFA continues to hold a special place in her heart, having played a significant role in shaping who she is today.

She earned her degree from Oregon State University and went on to spend more than twenty years working in agricultural science research. During her time with the USDA Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS), Joanna applied the leadership, communication, and technical skills she first developed through FFA, contributing as a valued member of the scientific community.

Today, Joanna brings that experience full circle in her role with the Oregon FFA Foundation, where she works to share the impact of agricultural education with stakeholders and donors. She is excited to embark on this new chapter, continuing to grow professionally while helping expand opportunities for the next generation of FFA members.

Outside of her professional work, Joanna is a dedicated wife and a proud mom of four. She embraces the many roles she plays in life and is deeply grateful to be part of an organization that positively shapes the lives of young people.

Foundation Grant Writer

Jessica Jansen

Jessica Jansen is a proud alumna of the Sherwood FFA Chapter, where her experiences in agricultural education and leadership helped shape her career path and passion for advocacy. Her involvement in FFA sparked a lifelong commitment to advancing agricultural literacy and supporting opportunities for young people in the industry.

She earned her degrees in Agricultural Sciences and Speech Communications from Oregon State University, combining her interests in agriculture, education, and effective communication.

Prior to joining the Oregon FFA Foundation, Jessica served for nearly ten years as the Executive Director of Oregon Agriculture in the Classroom. In that role, she led efforts to connect students and educators with meaningful agricultural learning experiences, strengthening understanding of the industry across the state.

Today, Jessica focuses on securing resources and building partnerships that support the Oregon FFA mission. She is deeply committed to ensuring that FFA continues to provide transformative, life-changing opportunities for students through agricultural education and leadership development.

Jessica and her husband, Matt, remain actively involved in Oregon agriculture and enjoy raising their family within the agricultural community they care deeply about.