News
IFB president says transition of Country Financial board is complete
The president of the Illinois Farm Bureau says a full transition has occurred within the Country Financial board of directors.
Phillip Nelson, who was elected by IFB members in December, tells Brownfield…
“We were seated.” He says, “The six of us that were elected in Chicago were seated on Country Financial. Elections, as I’ve said many times, do matter. When you’re elected, you assume that you’re going to be seated.”
Last month Brownfield reported that the organization’s past president and several board members broke with tradition and did not resign after losing elections for their IFB board seats. Nelson says the groups have always overlapped despite Country’s elections not occurring until the annual meeting in April.
“And really, it’s the first time in 100 years of Country Companies/Country Financial, that ever happened.” He says, “As I said previously, I’m not looking back. We’re looking ahead. We just got to forge onward and tackle the issues that are in front of us.”
Nelson says he’s looking forward to putting the issue behind him and going to work for both Illinois Farm Bureau members and Country Financial customers.
Nelson spoke with reporters at IFB’s 2026 Governmental Affairs and Leadership Conference in Springfield.
AUDIO: Phillip Nelson – Illinois Farm Bureau