Servant Leadership: Jim Tobin
December 27, 2023
By definition, a servant leader primarily focuses on the growth and well-being of people and the communities to which they belong. They inspire people to do noble work together and feel responsible for helping people learn and grow, feel purposeful, motivated, energized and contributing at their highest level.
FarmHouse has had countless servant leaders who generously share their time, talent and treasure for the betterment of the organization and others.
Jim Tobin (Iowa State 76) is a dedicated alumnus who exemplifies this.
Jim’s impact has been felt for many decades through his volunteerism, leadership, generosity, personal outreach and mentoring to others. Serving as a Foundation Trustee from 2008-2016, including two years as Chairman, Jim helped to lead Live. Learn. Lead. — The Campaign for FarmHouse during its public phase in 2014-16 and was instrumental in creating the Chapter Housing Loan Program (CHLP).
As a Trustee Emeritus, he co-chairs the CHLP Committee, volunteers with the Board and assists with donor visits. He has been a sponsor of the Power of 7 Seminar since 2008 and mentored 15 student participants.
Jim, articulate in speech and thought, has presented several times at the FH Leadership Institute (FLI) and Conclave. He has given the keynote at the Emerging Talent Retreat since its inception in May 2009 sharing his experiences related to “a prepared mind makes discoveries,” his leadership lessons and passion for FarmHouse.
Generosity is an integral part of Jim’s servant leadership. He and his wife, Gina Heagney, are members of the Order of the Crest, for accumulative giving of $250,000 to $499,999.
Jim earned his bachelor’s degree from Iowa State in 1978 and a MBA from Harvard in 1983. He is a member of the Farm Foundation Roundtable, serves on the board of Neogen Corporation and the board of governors for the Iowa State University Foundation. He served on the National 4-H Council and the Missouri 4-H Foundation.
Jim and Gina are active in their church and participate in
a free tax preparation clinic for low income families.
Jim joined Monsanto’s agricultural unit in 1983 and served in many capacities before he retired in December 2014. His last leadership role was vice president of industry affairs for the corporate engagement group.
Jim and Gina live in St. Louis, Missouri, and have three children, Michael, Zach (Iowa State 08) and Maura. In addition, Jim’s father, Kelly (Iowa State 82), and three brothers, Bernie (Iowa State 81), Terry (Iowa State 76) and Kevin (Iowa State 79) are members of FarmHouse. At FarmHouse’s 100th Anniversary Celebration in 2005, his mom, Irene, received the “Friend of FarmHouse” Award.
For Jim’s devotion, philanthropy and leadership to FarmHouse, Jim was honored with the Philanthropy Laureate Award in 2016 and named a Master Builder in
2018. At the 2021 Power of 7 Seminar, he was presented
the Robert L. Off Servant Leader Award.
This is Jim’s story about what service and FarmHouse means to him.
What did service mean as a child?
I grew up on a small farm in southwest Iowa with my parents, Kelly and Irene, and three brothers, Terry, Bernie and Kevin. The four of us were born six years apart.
My parents met at a 4-H camp and their families were very active in 4-H. As we were growing up, dad farmed and mom was a home economics teacher at our high school. They were involved in local politics, 4-H and church, so helping others was a part of the way we lived. They always modeled the way of assisting, supporting and serving others.
Why did you join FarmHouse?
I was attracted to FarmHouse because of the people I knew and respected. I wanted to be associated with them, and learn from them. FarmHouse was a learning laboratory where you were encouraged to lead and live out experiences together. Unlike work, being a part of the Fraternity is 24/7, where you learn from really talented people what service and leadership are about.
What is your family’s FarmHouse story?
After high school, I attended Iowa Western Community College, where I took classes in the morning and helped farm in the afternoon. I then transferred to Iowa State.
I am the oldest of the four boys and we all went to Iowa State, each of us joining FarmHouse. Terry started at ISU before I did and joined the chapter first. Later, Kevin and Bernie joined, followed by dad when Bernie was in school.
Our dad always wished he could attend college and after the three of us graduated, dad went to Iowa State, where he was invited to become a FH associate member. Kevin ran the farm while dad got his degree. Dad took classes, lived on campus, had meals at FarmHouse and mentored members. The farm crisis was going on and he would give them advice, and they appreciated his perspective and insights.
It was even more rewarding when our son, Zach, joined the ISU chapter. He had a wonderful experience, which helped him mature and improve academically, and he built relationships that carry on today. We value tremendously the growth we saw from Zach’s experience.
What experiences as a FH undergraduate inspired you?
As a new member, my pledge class took a trip to visit the Kansas State FH chapter. We spent time with Dr. Duane Acker (Iowa State 49), who was president of Kansas State University at the time. I was encouraged to see his leadership as a prominent university president and learn how FarmHouse impacted his life.
In the spring of 1976, a group of us visited D. Howard “Daddy” Doane (Missouri 05), who was 92 years old, at the College of the Ozarks. It was so interesting to meet a Founder, hear stories and learn from him.
How has service been an integral part of your career?
My first job after college was as a county extension agent in Iowa. I worked with volunteer leaders where I saw community leadership making a difference across the state. It reinforced the importance of service early in my career.
While working for Monsanto, I served on the American Seed Trade Association and U.S. Grains Council industry boards. Working in the industry affairs group demonstrated the importance of service to others and advocating for the grain and seed trade industries for the betterment of agriculture.
What was your experience as a Trustee?
Through my eight-year tenure as a Foundation Trustee, I learned so much about the International Fraternity and the Foundation, and the importance of giving, service and recruiting others to get involved. It was an exciting time
and a joy to interact with the staff, boards and other donors. I got more out of the experience than I ever gave.
You have spoken at the TO BE AND BECOME PROGRAM since it began in 2009. Why?
For several years, Monsanto sponsored the To Be and Become program and I was honored to speak on their behalf. After their sponsorship ended, I continued to speak about leadership development and my FH involvement.
Fifteen years later, I continue to stay involved with the program because I believe it is an important educational opportunity. I enjoy sharing stories, interacting with the young men and hearing about their aspirations for the future. I learn from them as much as they do from me.
The more we can help students early on in their college career with leadership development, with an understanding FarmHouse is bigger than their chapter, the better.
To Be and Become is partially sponsored by the C.J. (Iowa State 37) & Dorothy Gauger Endowment Fund, and I take personal responsibility and pleasure to help continue C.J.’s legacy. A Master Builder, C.J. was a long-time volunteer and mentor through 4-H and FH and I deeply admired him.
What sustains you as a volunteer?
I want to make a difference and help the organizations I am involved with accomplish their goals and achieve their mission. Making a difference keeps me going.
Being a part of the Power of 7 Seminar re-energizes me and I always enjoy talking with the students. I learn so much from them and the other alumni who attend.
Also, I have facilitated a learning lab at the last two FLIs. This has been a great chance to meet students in new leadership roles and interact with other alumni; it’s gratifying to see them take on new opportunities with the Fraternity.
How is service a family decision?
My wife, Gina, is very service-oriented with her legal work as an attorney and is involved in many organizations. We enjoy the Power of 7 Seminar as a couple, and it’s fun to volunteer together. Being a part of the tax preparation clinic Gina coordinates to serve those in our community who don’t have help otherwise, is rewarding.
Our philanthropy is a decision we make together. The organizations where we contribute our time, talent and financial resources to are those we believe will make a positive difference in the lives of the people they serve.
What advice would you give about volunteering?
You can learn a lot by serving others. Learning from people who have experience beyond my personal exposure has been incredibly fulfilling.
I believe anything you do to help FarmHouse today will help make a difference into the future. As you get involved you benefit personally with new skills and life experiences.
What does “tell your FH story” mean?
I give credit to Darrell Godfrey (Iowa State 73), who served as a Foundation Trustee for six years. He set an incredible example of philanthropy and would tell us, as fellow Trustees, to start by asking someone to tell their FarmHouse story. He then encouraged us to listen and learn what a difference FarmHouse has made in that person’s life. It is inspiring to hear these stories, what others have done, the impact the Fraternity has made on them and how they’ve shared their time and treasure. In keeping with Darrell’s motto, I encourage others to reflect on and share their FarmHouse story. Know when you’re involved it truly makes a difference.
Why is getting involved in farmhouse important?
Finding time to make a difference in FarmHouse is important and great volunteers are needed in many ways. I encourage people to find a place where you can make an impact. I don’t regret the time I’ve spent volunteering— it’s been very fulfilling.
Furthermore, I believe when you give financially you are making an investment. Gina and I are investors in the Foundation because we deeply believe in the Fraternity. It’s a great place to invest our time and treasure because we see the impact directly in the students we meet and the stories we hear.
How has volunteerism impacted you?
All of the experiences as a volunteer make life more interesting, enriching and rewarding. It exposes you to more people and opportunities than you’d ever imagine. Sometimes you don’t know when you’ve made a difference until many years later.