Julie Butner serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Tarrant Area Food Bank (TAFB), one of the largest hunger-relief organizations in North Texas and serving one of the fastest-growing metropolitan regions in the United States. Under her leadership, the food bank supports 13 counties and works with more than 500 community partners to distribute over one million nutritious meals each week to neighbors facing food insecurity.
Julie stepped into the CEO role just three months before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and led TAFB through one of the most challenging periods in its history. Confronted with an 80% surge in need, Julie guided the organization in doubling the volume of food procured and processed, achieving record distribution levels that continue today in response to population growth. Her strategic leadership has strengthened TAFB’s operational capacity, community reach, and long-term resilience.
A forward-thinking and mission-driven leader, Julie has championed innovative strategies to advance the food bank’s vision to alleviate hunger and improve health. She has expanded and diversified the organization’s donor base, developed major healthcare partnerships, and significantly increased TAFB’s community resource offerings. Among the most notable accomplishments of her tenure are the openings of four new facilities that have transformed the food bank’s regional impact:
• Sid W. Richardson Agricultural Hub – a regional center dedicated to produce aggregation and distribution
• Ready to Learn Resource Center – a child- and family-focused community resource hub
• TAFB West (Parker County) and TAFB North (Denton County) – new satellite branches expanding service reach and local engagement.
Before joining the Tarrant Area Food Bank in 2020, Julie built a distinguished career in the healthcare and hospitality industries, holding executive leadership roles in operations, quality systems, and business development with a focus on food, nutrition, and supply chain strategy. Earlier in her career, she served as a Captain in the United States Army during Operation Desert Storm.
Julie holds a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Coordinated Dietetics from Texas Christian University and a Master of Science in Food Systems Management with an emphasis in Health Promotion from the University of Oklahoma. She is a Registered and Licensed Dietitian.
Widely respected for her service to the community, Julie holds leadership and advisory roles with numerous organizations, including Feeding America’s Board of Directors, Feeding Texas Board of Directors, Texas Christian University’s Chancellor’s Advisory Committee and Nutritional Sciences Advisory Board, Rotary, Colonial Country Club Board of Governors, Charles Schwab Challenge Executive Women's Day, Delta Gamma Fraternity, Fort Worth Sister Cities, and The Cowtown Marathon.
Outside of her professional commitments, Julie is an avid runner and yoga enthusiast and enjoys golf and traveling with her husband of 30 years, Greg, and their two Labrador retrievers.