New Jersey Farm Bureau Names New Executive Director

Liz Thompson takes over after longtime Executive Director Peter Furey steps back

TRENTON, NJ – June 30, 2025 – The New Jersey Farm Bureau, a grassroots, membership-supported, non-government organization that advocates for agriculture in the state, announced today that Liz Thompson has been named executive director as of July 1.

Thompson will assume the role in accordance with a succession plan designed to ensure a seamless transition from longtime executive director Peter Furey.

“We are fortunate to have someone of Liz's caliber, knowledge and dedication to Farm Bureau's mission to step into this key position,” Furey said. “She is well qualified for the position.”

Thompson joined the NJFB staff in 1996 and has held senior-level responsibilities through the present. Her primary tasks in recent years have been coordination of NJFB policies, staff coordinator for all federal issues, chief liaison to the American Farm Bureau and its programs/staff contact person and primary coordinator for the NJFB annual convention in November.

Thompson also performs other duties, such as media coordinator, field representative to Somerset and Middlesex counties, social media director, liaison to the Young Farmers & Agriculture Professionals program and others.

“Liz has been a steady hand and a passionate advocate for New Jersey agriculture for decades,” said NJFB President Allen Carter. “Her deep knowledge of our issues and commitment to our members make her the right choice to lead us into the future. We thank Peter Furey for his extraordinary service and welcome Liz into this important leadership role.”

Thompson graduated from the Ohio State University in 1994 with a bachelor's degree in agricultural communications and minors in agricultural business and political science. Before joining NJFB, she worked as a newspaper reporter in northwest New Jersey. She is the mother of three children, Samantha (26), Noah (23) and Bailey (20). Thompson and her family members are longtime Warren County residents in Oxford.

Furey, who served as an executive director of NJFB since April 1982, will remain on the staff as assistant to the president for the remainder of the year in a part-time capacity, offering support for special projects and providing continuity in services for NJFB membership. Furey hails from Moorestown, Burlington County.