Jefferson City, MO — Missouri Farm Bureau (MOFB) President Garrett Hawkins made the following statement regarding BJ Tanksley’s hiring as Director for the Office of Broadband Development at the Missouri Department of Economic Development (DED):
“Governor Parson and DED made a fantastic choice to lead the Office of Broadband Development, the state’s lead agency for expanding access to high-speed internet. During BJ’s tenure as MOFB’s director of state and local legislative affairs, he not only pushed for the establishment of the Office of Broadband Development in 2018, but also advocated for the continued funding and deployment of high-speed internet to all Missourians. Governor Parson’s plan to invest over $400 million in broadband is a once-in-a-generation opportunity, and BJ is the right person to ensure the plan is executed wisely and effectively. We wish him success in this new role and look forward to working with him for the benefit of all Missourians.”
Missouri Farm Bureau, founded in 1915 as the nation’s first state Farm Bureau organization, remains one of the strongest. With over 143,000 member families across Missouri, MOFB is the state’s largest and most influential farm organization.
