In addition to all her support for the U.S egg industry over the past 40 years, she has been extremely generous with her time and commitment to the international egg community through her roles at the International Egg Commission (IEC).  Joanne served as the Chair of the IEC Marketing Committee and on the Executive Board for many years, being the co-founder of World Egg Day, a leading supporter of the “Showcase for Marketing Eggsellence” and being instrumental in the creation of the “Crystal Egg Award” recognising outstanding egg farmer branded marketing campaigns.

It was for these and many other initiatives that in 2005 Joanne was given the greatest IEC honour of all, being recognised as the Denis Wellstead International Egg Person of the Year.

Joanne went on to serve as both Chairman and President of the IEC.  Her never-ending energy and commitment has already resulted in several more landmark international programmes.  Not only has Joanne been the champion for the formation of the International Egg Nutrition Consortium, linking the egg industry and nutrition health professionals across the globe, but she has also been the key leader of Corporate and Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives within the IEC.  Her passion for humanitarian projects lead to the establishment of the CSR Working Group. It was Joanne’s determination and presentation of humanitarian projects, such as Heart for Africa's Project Canaan, which resulted in the establishment of the International Egg Foundation, of which she is a Founding Donor.

On behalf of everyone at IEC we would like to thank Joanne for her dedication and commitment to the egg industry and willingness to share across the global egg community.  We wish Joanne all the very best in her retirement.

Please find below the Press Release issued by American Egg Board.

PARK RIDGE, Ill., March 16, 2015 – On Thursday, March 13, at the American Egg Board (AEB) Meeting, Joanne C. Ivy, President & CEO, announced her retirement effective December 31, 2015. Ivy has worked with the egg industry for 40 years, starting her career in North Carolina as the Director of the North Carolina Egg Association followed by the next 29 years with AEB. Ivy is particularly honored to have served as President & CEO since 2007.

During almost three decades of service to America’s egg farmers, Ivy created the Egg Product Marketing, Retail Merchandising, and State Support Program.  During her tenure as President & CEO, the egg farmers’ image campaign, known as the Good Egg Project, was launched; the Foodservice and Egg Product Marketing programs were enhanced; and AEB’s highly successful marketing campaigns, including its most recent Wake Up to Eggs with (Kevin) Bacon campaign, were executed. She also strengthened the prominence and integrity of the Egg Nutrition Center and its multi-million dollar nutrition research program that culminated in this year’s historic Dietary Guidelines recommendations.

“Working with the egg industry for the past 40 years has been my life and those in this industry are family,” says Ivy. “I love my job and love this industry, which has made this decision very difficult. However, I feel it is time for me to explore my personal interests and new opportunities, while healthy and able.”

AEB has played a major role in increasing egg demand profitability for the egg industry and has delivered a strong return on investment for America’s egg farmer. Ivy feels there is no better time to leave than when AEB is at its best.

“I have hired an incredible marketing team – an extraordinary staff, working with amazing agencies and consultants,” she adds. “I feel confident leaving while AEB and the egg industry are at such a high point.”

AEB Chairman Paul Sauder responded to Ivy’s announcement by saying, “This reminds me of a quarterback who retires after winning the Super Bowl. We have just won the Super Bowl with all the recent incredible news in our industry. We wish Joanne the best and appreciate her many years of service.”

And AEB’s Senior Vice President of Marketing Kevin Burkum added, “Her staff has truly appreciated her leadership. She has encouraged us to take risks and find new ways to increase egg demand.”

AEB’s Executive Committee will conduct a search for the incoming President & CEO.