WASHINGTON, Jan. 9, 2014 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced the appointment of 152 producers and four importers to the 2013 National Pork Producers Delegate Body. The appointees were selected from nominees submitted by state pork producer association and importer groups and will serve a one-year term.
Appointed members representing pork producers by state are:
Alabama: Luther L. BishopAlaska: Richard C. Worrell, Patricia R. WorrellArizona: Alfredo P. Sotomayor, Leslie J. CainArkansas: Robert S. Balloun, Jenae N. CummingsCalifornia: Kenneth L. Dyer, Steven G. WeaverColorado: Roc M. Rutledge, Dwain A. WeinrichDelaware: John B. Tigner, Jr., Henry C. Johnson IV Florida: Ricky N. Lyons, Chad N. LyonsGeorgia: Dania DeVane, Markus E. ClemmerHawaii: Wayne I. Shimokawa, Stacy Hatsue Kuulei SugiIdaho: Dustin D. Olsen, David D. RoperIllinois: Dereke A. Dunkirk, Curtis D. Zehr, Robert C. Frase, Michael E. Haag, Phillip J. Borgic, Todd A. DailIndiana: C. Randall Curless, C. Brian Martin, Sam D. Moffitt, Kirk C. Thornburg, Mark R. York, Valerie M. DuttingerIowa: Timothy J. Schmidt, Jamie M. Schmidt, Dean Frazer, Alan F. Wulfekuhle, Bryan K. Karwal, David E. Moody, Arthur G. Halstead, Heather L. Hora, Gregory R. Lear, Bill J. Tentinger, Mark J. Meirick, Marvin J. Rietema, Leon C. Sheets, David D. Struthers, Dr. Howard T. Hill, Curtis D. Meier, Dr. Eugene D. Ver Steeg, John E. Vossberg, Joseph A. Rota, Dr. Craig J. Rowles, Rodney G. Dykstra, Scott W. Tapper, Mary J. Bierman, Steven L. Kerns, Lori D. Jorgenson, Jill Kerber-Aldous, Stephan J. Burgmeier, Gregg K. Hora, Dale G. Reicks, Gregory J. Schroeder Kansas: Michael L. Springer, Alan J. Haverkamp, Kent F. Condray, Scott J. PfortmillerKentucky: Eric M. Heard, Robert J. RobinsonLouisiana: Rebecca L. Lirette, Louis J. LiretteMaine: Barrett A. Parks, Deena A. ParksMaryland: Jennifer A. Debnam, Thomas C. LinthicumMassachusetts: Lisa D. ColbyMichigan: Robert D. Dykhuis, Pat Albright, Andrew T. WhiteMinnesota: Ruben E. Bode, Kevin W. Estrem, Patrick L. Fitzsimmons, Margaret E. Freeking, Kelly D. Graff, Bradley L. Hennen, Brian B. Johnson, Nathan S. Potter, Sheila A. Schmid, Tim A. Steuber, Patrick E. Thome, Jacqueline S. TlamMississippi: Donny W. Ray, John L. KeenanMissouri: John N. Howerton, Scott W. Phillips, Kenneth J. Brinkner, Francis D. Forst Montana: Joseph D. Hofer, Jacob A.WaldnerNebraska: Troy D. McCain, Karen J. Grant, Darin J. Uhler, Scott A. Spilker, Janice S. MillerNew Hampshire: Lisa-Marie R. Gitschier, Alicia B. MacLean New Jersey: Salvatore J. VillariNew York: Benjamin L. Wickham, Doug O. BruningNorth Carolina: George H. Pettus, James L. Lamb, Deborah M. Ballance, Kimberly S. Griffin, Jim H. Lynch, James B. Worley, David D. Herring, Channing R. Gooden, Zack McCullenNorth Dakota: Kevin Tyndall, Kenneth R. Omlie Ohio: William R. Knapke, Matthew S. Bell, David I. Shoup, Benjamin J. ZientekOklahoma: Karen D. Brewer, Basil S. Werner, Tina R. Falcon, Dotty D. KingOregon: Greg A. Gonzalez, Susan E. Gonzalez Pennsylvania: Chris R. Hoffman, David A. Reinecker, Jason D. ManbeckSouth Carolina: Larry B. DeHart, Mark A. McLeodSouth Dakota: Ryan C. Storm, Steven R. Rommereim, Lenny GrossTennessee: Jamey C. Tosh, Dennis A. HolderTexas: Corby D. Barrett, Kenneth L. KensingUtah: Todd N. Ballard, James W. WebbVirginia: Robert J. Austin, William P. Edwards Washington: Thomas A. Cocking, Paul M. KlingemanWisconsin: Thomas J. Knauer, Dr. Michael A. BeisbierWyoming: Ana L. Shmidl, Shawn M. Shmidl
Importers appointed to the delegate body are: Ole Nielsen, Stig H. Kjaeroe, David E. Biltchik, and Magdolina A. Zamorski.
Established under the Pork Promotion, Research, and Consumer Information Act of 1985, the delegate body and the National Pork Board have implemented a national program designed to improve the pork industry’s position in the marketplace. USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service oversees operations of the delegate body. Representation on the delegate body is based on annual net assessments collected on sales of domestic hogs within individual states, with a minimum of two producers from each state. States have the option of not submitting nominees.
Delegates meet annually to recommend the rate of assessment, determine the percentage of assessments that state associations will receive and nominate producers and importers to the 15-member National Pork Board. The delegate body will be seated during the March 7-8, 2014, National Pork Industry Forum in Kansas City, Missouri.
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