LUBBOCK, TEXAS, US — The United Sorghum Checkoff Program has selected Norma Ritz Johnson as its new executive director.

“Johnson brings strong organizational management with a background in agriculture and sorghum,” said Tim Lust, chief executive officer of Sorghum Checkoff. “I am excited to have Norma back on Team Sorghum. She has proven over the last 15 years her leadership abilities to take on major projects and shepherd them through government and private industry processes to success.”

Johnson most recently was executive vice president for the Lubbock Chamber of Commerce, an organization that represents almost 1,700 businesses and over 79,000 employees on the South Plains of Texas, US, where she led initiatives and staff communications with an emphasis on transportation, agriculture and health care. Her expertise in strategic planning and leadership make her a valuable asset to the checkoff program.

“The Sorghum Checkoff board of directors and I look forward to working with Johnson and are extremely confident in her leadership ability to move this organization forward,” said Kent Martin, chairman of Sorghum Checkoff. “We believe her vast experience and past sorghum industry relationships will be beneficial in furthering the program priorities of the Checkoff to increase the value of sorghum and improve profitability for our growers.”

Johnson replaces Florentino Lopez who has served as the organization’s executive director since 2011. Lopez will continue to serve the sorghum industry in a new capacity consulting on international market development.

“This is an amazing opportunity, and I very much look forward to stepping into this position at the Sorghum Checkoff to help build on its great foundation of success,” Johnson said. “My entire career has led me to this role returning to the sorghum industry, and I’m eager to roll my sleeves up and get to work helping to bring value to the organization and sorghum producers as we accelerate this important industry's growth nationally and globally.”