VOL. 19, NO. 1 / WINTER 2024 / URNER BARRY'S REPORTER • 55
RECOGNIZING NTF PRESIDENT JOEL BRANDENBERGER
NTF President Joel Brandenberger (pictured left) in October announced his plan to retire
June 30, 2024, after 33 years with the National Turkey Federation, 17 of which he served as
President. The NTF team and membership are deeply appreciative of Joel's contributions
over the years. It is an honor to recognize his valuable years of service and wish him the
best in this next chapter of life.
Brandenberger joined NTF in May 1991 as Director of Public Affairs. He was promoted
to Vice President of Legislative Affairs in 1995 and Senior Vice President for Legislative
Affairs in 2001 before becoming NTF's fifth CEO in December 2006. A native of Houston,
Brandenberger is a distinguished alumnus of Texas Tech University, where he graduated
in 1982 with a journalism degree. Prior to joining NTF, he was a newspaper reporter
and editor before working for legislative offices in the Texas Senate and U.S. House of
Representatives. Joel and his wife, Susan, plan to spend retirement at their homes in
Florida and Utah.
"...Tailgate with Turkey has further
enhanced the consumer-facing
platform to showcase turkey's place
on the grill and smoker from the
backyard to the stadium."