WASHINGTON — The National Turkey Federation (NTF) announced Joel Brandenberger, president and chief executive officer of the association, as the recipient of the 2024 NTF Lifetime Achievement Award.

Brandenberger was recognized at NTF’s 2024 Annual Convention in Austin, Texas, on Feb. 24. Steve Lykken, 2023 NTF chairman, along with several esteemed industry leaders and CBS News Chief Washington Correspondent Major Garrett — a longtime friend of Brandenberger — presented Brandenberger with the award.

“When we were looking for the next person to lead NTF, I worked with the board of directors to promote Joel and it’s been a very good thing ever since,” said 2006 NTF Chairman Mike Briggs during the ceremony. “Joel now has worked on his seventh Farm Bill, which is incredible. He has also been involved with every major program that the industry has created and taken part in. He has been a good friend, I’m very proud of what he has accomplished, and I am also proud I have been able to be a part of it and I wish him luck.”

Brandenberger joined NTF in May 1991 as director of public affairs and announced his retirement in 2024 after 33 years with NTF, including 17 years as president and CEO of the organization. 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 an 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 and later worked for legislative offices in the Texas Senate and US House of Representatives.