Tennessee Tech Sophomore Elected National FFA Officer
Nov 9, 2025

Tennessee Tech sophomore T. Wayne Williams was recently elected Southern Region Vice President for the National FFA Organization during the 98th National FFA Convention & Expo.

COOKEVILLE, TN — Tennessee Tech University sophomore T. Wayne Williams has been elected southern region vice president for the National FFA Organization, one of only six students across the country chosen to serve as national officers for the 2025–2026 year.

Williams, a Cannon County native studying agricultural communications, was selected during the 98th National FFA Convention & Expo held Oct. 29–Nov. 1 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The convention brought together more than 73,000 FFA members for leadership workshops, competitions and general sessions.

For Williams, who previously served as Tennessee FFA state president, the moment was a dream realized.

“Complete joy and shock,” Williams said of hearing his name announced. “I was so happy for all the people who have poured so much into me over the last five years to get me to this spot. I remember watching the national FFA convention in high school and telling my advisors, ‘I want to be one of those national officers one day.’”

In his new role, Williams will spend the next year traveling more than 100,000 miles to meet with business and industry leaders, FFA members, educators and government officials across the United States and abroad.

Williams grew up on his family’s fourth-generation beef production farm near Woodbury, where he says his roots in agriculture took hold early. His passion for agricultural advocacy has since guided his academic path at Tech, where he plans to pursue law school following completion of his degree.

“Tennessee Tech has been vital in my pursuit of national FFA office,” Williams said. “Our School of Agriculture—with Dean Darron Smith and faculty like Dr. Dennis Duncan—was so collaborative in helping me make sure I could reach FFA members while still being successful in my academic pursuits. We’re not just a number at Tech. They care about our passions and our purpose.”

Williams also credits James Baier, assistant dean and assistant professor in Tech’s School of Agriculture, as one of his most supportive mentors.

“Dr. Baier continues to challenge us to grow and learn while always putting students first,” Williams said. “That’s something I want to take into my FFA national officer role.”

Rhedona Rose, chair of the Tennessee Tech Board of Trustees, a graduate of the university’s School of Agriculture, and the former longtime executive vice president of Tennessee Farm Bureau, said Williams’ success reflects the university’s enduring tradition of producing leaders in the field.

“I’ve had the privilege of knowing T. Wayne since his days as a young high school student and couldn’t be prouder of how he represents Tennessee Tech and FFA,” Rose said. “T. Wayne is an example of the outstanding agricultural leaders that Tech has been producing since its earliest days and why we continue to be the university of choice for students looking to make an impact in this field.”

As he begins his year of national service, Williams hopes to inspire the next generation of agricultural leaders.

“This is a privilege and a blessing,” he said. “We get to represent more than a million FFA members nationwide. My goal is to show every member I meet there is a community of people who truly want to help them find their potential in the agricultural industry and in their personal pursuits.”

Williams is the 15th Tennessean ever elected to a National FFA Office in the organization’s 98-year history.