Seth Derner: National FFA President 1995–96
Nebraska · No. 69 of 100 · National FFA President 1995–96
At a Glance
- Office: National FFA President, 1995–96 (No. 69 of 100)
- Home state: Nebraska, raised on a cattle ranch
- FFA experience: Creed Speaking in high school
- Career: Agriculture teacher; curriculum developer at the National FFA Organization; co-founder of Vivayic (2006)
- Giving back: Served on the Nebraska FFA Foundation board of directors
Seth Derner led the national officer team in 1995–96 and is one of several former presidents whose careers stayed close to the FFA mission of leadership development. After teaching agriculture, he went to work in the National FFA Organization’s curriculum development area and later co-founded a company that builds learning programs for agriculture.
A Nebraska Ranch and the Creed
National FFA’s magazine feature on Derner describes him as a Nebraska native who grew up on a cattle ranch. He participated in Creed Speaking, the FFA contest in which members recite and answer questions about the FFA Creed, and has described that contest as one that pushed him beyond his comfort zone. He has said that testing ideas, getting feedback and improving is a fundamental skill he uses in everything from high school FFA to today.
The Presidency, 1995–96
Derner followed Corey D. Flournoy of Illinois, who had become the first Black national president since the FFA and NFA merger, and he was succeeded by Corey Rosenbusch of Texas. His year of service ended with the 69th National FFA Convention, held November 14–16, 1996, according to the convention proceedings. Beyond the fact of his election and term, the sources found for this site say little about the specifics of his year.
Teaching, then the National Office
After college Derner taught agriculture. He then joined the National FFA Organization in the curriculum development area. By 2003 he led a team that included Doug Kueker, a Missourian who had been the 2000–01 central region vice president and joined the staff as an education specialist after college. The two worked on projects designed to make leadership learning accessible to all agricultural education students, not just those who could attend in-person workshops, and both were drawn to technology as a tool for instruction.
Co-founding Vivayic
After a few years at the national office, Derner and Kueker left to start their own business. They co-founded Vivayic in 2006. The company develops training curricula, designs eLearning and provides talent and leadership development consulting for agriculture. “We didn’t really plan to start a company,” Derner said of how it began, describing an idea that grew out of their national office work. Both men had grown up around entrepreneurship, Derner on a Nebraska cattle ranch and Kueker on a Missouri farm.
Giving Back
Derner has served on the Nebraska FFA Foundation board of directors, and National FFA notes that he and Kueker have both given generously to the organization. He said he has reached a point where he can do for others what others did for him.
Why His Story Matters
Derner’s path shows how national officer experience can become a professional foundation: teaching, curriculum design at the national level, and then a business that serves agricultural education and industry. His story also links two eras of FFA leadership through his long working partnership with a later national officer.
Next: Corey Rosenbusch, 1996–97 →