Julie Butner serves as President and CEO of the Tarrant Area Food Bank, serving thirteen counties in North Texas, one of the fastest growing metropolitan areas in the United States. The Tarrant Area Food Bank works with over 450 community partners to distribute more than one million meals each week to a half million residents facing food insecurity. Julie’s leadership began three short months before the onset of a global pandemic. Julie led the food bank through unprecedented times, providing record amounts of food into the community. Tarrant Area Food Bank saw an 80% increase in the need for food and doubled the amount of food procured and processed in its distribution center, an historic record of food distribution and one that continues today to meet population growth.
Julie has led the food bank to develop innovative strategies to fulfill the food bank’s mission to alleviate hunger and improve health. As a result of her leadership, the food bank has increased and diversified its donor base, while making historic investments in building the capacity of the food bank to meet the growing need. Notably, Julie has led the food bank in establishing healthcare partnerships and initiatives, expanding the food bank’s community resource capacity, and opening four new facilities including the Sid W. Richardson Agricultural Hub, a regional produce hub; the Ready to Learn Resource Center, a child-centric community resource hub for neighbors, children, and families and two satellite branches – Tarrant Area Food Bank West in Parker County and TAFB North in Denton County.
Prior to joining the Tarrant Area Food Bank in January 2020, Julie held executive leadership roles in the healthcare and hospitality industries, specifically focused on food and nutrition, in operations and business development. Julie also served as a Captain in the United States Army during Operation Desert Storm.
Julie graduated from Texas Christian University with a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Coordinated Dietetics and holds a Master of Science in Food Systems Management with an emphasis in Health Promotion from the University of Oklahoma. Julie is a Registered, Licensed Dietitian.
Julie has served the Fort Worth community through leadership roles in many organizations including: the Feeding Texas Board of Directors, Food Bank News Editorial Advisory Board, Texas Christian University Nutritional Sciences Advisory Board, Rotary, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Charles Schwab Challenge Executive Women's Day, Delta Gamma Fraternity, Fort Worth Sister Cities and The Cowtown Marathon.
In her spare time, Julie enjoys running, yoga, golf and travels with her husband of thirty years, Greg, and their two Labrador retrievers.