Some people find their calling later in life. The lucky ones have their passion in their blood and the luckier ones get to make a career from it. Elizabeth Johnson would consider herself a “luckier” one.

Growing up, agriculture wasn’t something she ever questioned. It was life and she has always known that it would be life.

“My grandparents were row-crop farmers and ran beef cattle operations. My summers were spent in the combine, checking cows, and just being part of the day-to-day lifestyle,” she explains. “Agriculture wasn’t something I ever questioned; I can’t imagine my life without agriculture.”

As she got older, her love for agriculture never waned, in fact, the clubs and opportunities she had access to only strengthened her commitment. During her high school years, Johnson showed her own animals through 4-H and started a small goat herd. After graduation, she went on to Oklahoma State University to major in ag communications and leadership and, following graduation, set out to pursue a career in agriculture.

It’s a theme that resonates and resounds within our VES-Artex team. So many haven’t just grown up on the farm, but continue to pursue livestock, hay and row crops today. It’s clear on the other end of the line when a customer places a call. The urgency is never lacking.

As the Customer Success Manager, Johnson manages a team and works with key accounts to make sure our customers are taken care of. Johnson has been a member of our team for the past seven years and during that time, the VES-Artex customer relationship has been her focus.

“I think what sets us apart is that we don’t just make sure our customers have what they need; we work to make sure they are genuinely happy with our products, support and service,” she says, adding that the internal growth and renewed focus on agriculture and the farmer has been rewarding. “Today, when I think about where we’ve been and where we’re going, I’m excited – it feels like we are creating something at VES-Artex that’s truly worth being part of.”

Johnson says that understanding agriculture and having empathy for producers isn’t just part of the job. It’s inherent because you’ve lived it and understand the urgency, the need and not just the monetary cost but the lost production and time costs that are incurred when things don’t go right on the farm. There’s no clocking out at 5 p.m. and picking things up the next day.

“For so many on our VES-Artex team, not just knowing but living the day-to-day struggles that come with farming and raising livestock helps us show up better for our customers,” she says.

The story of agriculture. The story of hard work and dedication, that more often than not spans multiple generations, deserves support. It deserves to be told.

That understanding is what fuels the VES-Artex team. It shows up in how we answer the phone, how we respond when something matters now, and how we stand alongside the people who feed the world. In 2026, we invite you to follow along as our team shares their stories – stories rooted in agriculture, shaped by service, and guided by a genuine commitment to helping customers succeed. In the small moments and the big ones, VES-Artex is proud to play a role in keeping agriculture moving forward and in helping build the stories the next generation will one day tell.

Let us help build your legacy.