IOWA PORK ALLIANCE - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Committee
- President - Elect
- IPPA Board Member
- President - Elect Carroll, IA
Aaron manages more than 100,000 nursery and finishing pig spaces for Sunburst Valley Farms near Carroll.
He serves as both the Southwest Region Director, which covers 27 counties in southwest Iowa, and he is the Vice President of Resources. His role there is to review and report on IPPA's financial records, financial development, and membership programs.
In addition to being an IPPA board member, Aaron serves on the organization's finance and producer education committees. He has participated in the Iowa Pork Leadership Academy and the National Pork Producers Council‘s Pork Leadership Institute, and has been an Operation Main Street speaker for more than 10 years, which is an outgrowth of being a recipient of the Dale Carnegie Course Highest Award for Achievement.
He is a member of the Carroll County Pork Producers. In 2009, Aaron and his brother, Peter, received the Iowa Environmental Steward Award, followed by the national Pork Industry Environmental Steward Award in 2010. In 2011, they were recognized with the first Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Award by the State of Iowa. Aaron was named an Iowa Master Pork Producer in 2014.
Other organizations that Aaron is involved in are the Carroll County Farm Bureau; the Rotary Club of Carroll, Carroll Chamber of Commerce, and New Hope Foundation, a charitable organization for adults with disabilities. Aaron earned a business management degree from Loras College in Dubuque.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Committee
Andi Wright is in charge of distribution of promotional and educational materials to county pork organizations and the general public.
Barb Nelson is the first person to greet callers or visitors to the IPPA offices, answering their general questions or directing them to staff best-suited for their inquiries. She also works with county pork organizations that are planning to use Pork Cash for promotion activities.
Ben Nuelle covers state and federal policy as well as environmental programs for the Iowa Pork Producers Association. On the policy side, this includes tracking legislation in the Iowa statehouse and in Washington, D.C., that affects pig farmers.
Job Titles:
- Stakeholder Representative
- Stakeholder Representative Prescott, IA
A third-generation pig farmer, Ben owns Schmaling Brothers Berkshires with his brother, Ethan. About 25 purebred Berkshire sows make up the operation. In spring and fall, nearly 150 Berkshire show pigs are sold throughout the Midwest and nationwide. Seed stock and bred females are marketed in the fall. Off the farm, Ben is a swine consultant at Standard Nutrition Services. Prior to that, he worked for animal health companies.
Ben has been president of the Iowa Purebred Swine Council since 2013; is a certified swine judge in multiple states; and serves on the Adult Board of Directors for Team Purebred, a national youth swine association. In addition, he is a member of the American Berkshire Association. He graduated from the Iowa Pork Leadership Academy; and served IPPA's promotion committee, and on the National Pork Board's Producer/Public Health & Workplace Safety committee.
A native of Belleville, Wis., Ben earned a marketing degree from Iowa State University.
Job Titles:
- Supervisor With Iowa Select Farms
Bob is a senior finishing supervisor with Iowa Select Farms. He oversees nearly 200 farms and manages a team of 10 finishing supervisors.
His first experience working with pigs was on his family's 800-sow farrow-to-finish operation east of Atlanta. After graduating from high school, he moved to southwest Iowa where he worked to reorganize a group of sow farms. From managing animal care and remodels/construction to human resources and working closely with investors, he got experience in many areas.
He then began traveling for another company to other states, working on similar projects that involved revamping areas of the business and starting up sow farms, boar studs, and nurseries.
In the early 1990s, Bob joined a live production company where he worked as vice president for 10 years. He joined Iowa Select as a grow-finish director in 2004.
Brielle Smeby provides program assets and information to county pork producers; coordinates Bacon A Difference applications; and helps with registration and planning for Iowa Pork Congress.
Job Titles:
- Marketing and Logistics Director for Prestage Farms of Iowa
Chris has served as the marketing and logistics director for Prestage Farms of Iowa for the past 16 years. He has worked in almost all areas of pork production-including owning barns and working as a hog buyer.
Job Titles:
- Administrative Assistant
- Finance
Cindy Roepke is the administrative assistant who works in the the finance area. She is responsible for all accounts receivable, and creates all invoices sent from our office.
Clark is a first-generation farmer from McGregor. He and his wife Kristine operate Wikner Family Farms LLC with their sons, Neal and Ben. They raise 60,000 hogs annually in a segregated early weaning operation, as well as farm 650 acres of corn and soybeans. Clark served on the Clayton County Pork Producers board for six years, including two terms as president. He was on a committee that raised money and constructed a new swine building and show ring for the Clayton County Fair. He is currently a member of IPPA's Iowa Pork Tent committee, and a past member of IPPA's swine health and well-being committee.
Clark was named a Master Pork Producer by IPPA in 1984.
Job Titles:
- Outreach Director
- Producer
As the Producer Outreach Director, Cory Van Gilst oversees IPPA's membership and county association relationships, and he works with the Iowa Pork Alliance. Cory coordinates the Iowa Pork Leadership Academy, the Master Pork Awards program, and IPPA's tradeshow presence at the World Pork Expo and Iowa Pork Congress.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Committee
- Member of the Grundy County Pork Producers
- President - Operations Conrad, IA - District 3
- Vice President - Operations / Dean Raises 30, 000 Hogs Annually in a Farrow - to - Finish Operation for Frazer Farms LLC Near Conrad. the Farm Includes 2, 800 Acres of Corn and Soybeans.
- Vice President of Market Development
Dean raises 30,000 hogs annually in a farrow-to-finish operation for Frazer Farms LLC near Conrad. The farm includes 2,800 acres of corn and soybeans.
On the IPPA Board of Directors, Dean serves as the Vice President of Market Development, along with being the District 3 Director. The VP - Market Development reviews IPPA's promotion, consumer education, and other market development activities.
Since 1987, Dean has been a member of the Grundy County Pork Producers, and has served in leadership roles, including as vice president, treasurer, and secretary. In addition, he is a member of the Iowa Pork Producers Association swine health and well-being committee; a 12-year member of the Iowa Pork Industry Center Advisory Committee; and a current member of the African Swine Fever task force in Iowa. Dean and his wife Linda received the Master Pork Producer award in 2009.
He also is a member of Grundy County Farm Bureau, as well as the Iowa Corn Growers and Iowa Soybean Associations. Dean studied agricultural business at Iowa State University.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Benton County Pork Producers
Denise and her husband, Todd, are part of Interstate Swine LLC, a farrow-to finish operation that markets 50,000 hogs annually. They also raise corn and soybeans, and have a small cow-calf herd.
Denise is a member of the Benton County Pork Producers and actively promotes pork locally, including helping with a food booth at the county fair and offering scholarships for area youth. She is a current member of the Iowa Pork Leadership Academy.
Job Titles:
- Northeast Region Director
- Northeast Region Director Monticello, IA - NE Regional Director ( Districts 3 & 4 )
Dominic has a custom-feed operation with 9,600 head in a wean-to-finish enterprise for D&B Pork LLC near Monticello. He joined the Jones County Pork Producers in 1999 and has served as the group's president, vice president, and secretary. He participates in numerous grillings, both locally and throughout the state, to promote pork. and has served on the Iowa Pork Tent committee. Dominic is also a graduate of the Iowa Pork Leadership Academy. Nationally, he attended the Pork Leadership Institute, where he gained valuable insight about the pork industry.
Dominic received the Master Pork Producer award in 2019, and is also active with Farm Bureau. Dominic graduated from Iowa State University in Ames, where he studied animal science.
Doug Fricke manages the Iowa Pork Congress as IPPA's Trade Show Marketing Director. Iowa Pork Congress is the largest state trade show focused on Iowa pig farmers. Doug handles rental of the event space, the event schedule, and contracts with trade show exhibitors.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Committee
- Vice President - Producer Services
- Vice President - Producer Services Sully, IA - District 7
Doug finishes 15,000 hogs annually for DG Pork LLC, which is located near Sully. The farm operation also grows 400 acres of corn and 300 acres of soybeans.
In addition to his service to the Iowa Pork Producers, he is a member of the Iowa Corn Growers and Iowa Soybean associations, as well as the Jasper County Farm Bureau. Doug graduated from the Lynnville-Sully Community School District.
Job Titles:
- Owner at Suidae Health & Production
- Stakeholder Representative
- Stakeholder Representative Algona, IA
Dr. Matt Anderson is a swine veterinarian and partner/owner at Suidae Health & Production, a swine-only practice based in Algona. The clinic focuses on providing full-service swine veterinary care, as well as swine health and business consulting.
A native of Stuart, he grew up on a diverse family farm with hogs, cattle, and row crops. Today he and his wife, Dini, along with their four children, live on a farm near Algona that includes a farrow-to-finish hog operation, as well as Angus cattle and 600 acres of crops.
Anderson has served on the board of directors for several pork industry organizations: Swine Health Information Center, based in Manhattan, Kan.; Professional Animal Auditor Certification Organization; American Association of Swine Veterinarians (AASV), including as vice president, president-elect, president, and past president; and AASV Foundation.
He completed his undergraduate work in animal science at Iowa State University (ISU) in Ames, and graduated from ISU's College of Veterinary Medicine in 1999.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Committee
Job Titles:
- Member of the Des Moines County Pork Producers
- Southeast Region Director
- Southeast Region Director Burlington, IA - SE Regional Director ( Districts 7 & 8 )
Haley and her husband Jacob live in Burlington, where they work on her family's farm. There they contract grow for TriOak Foods and raise corn and soybeans. She is also a finishing pig flow specialist at TriOak Foods, where she coordinates and directs movements for all weaned pigs and market hogs. TriOak produces 1.75 million hogs in a farrow-to-finish operation.
Haley is a member of the Des Moines County Pork Producers, a graduate of the Iowa Pork Leadership Academy, and serves as a PQA and TQA adviser for the National Pork Board.
She has a degree in animal science from Iowa State University.
Job Titles:
- Consumer Outreach Director
Hannah Spurr manages youth programming and social media marketing for the Iowa Pork Producers Association. She also manages the Pork Tent at the Iowa State Fair.
Jeff Vande Kieft oversees all financial reporting, budgeting, and investment management for the Iowa Pork Producers Association. This includes accounts payable and receivable, as well as the financial side of human resources. He also leads the Operations side of building and grounds management.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Committee
- Owner and CEO of Brenneman Pork
John "Rob" Brenneman is owner and CEO of Brenneman Pork, a family-owned operation with 32,500 sows, marketing 1.25 million pigs annually. The operation also includes growing corn and soybeans used as feed for their pigs.
Job Titles:
- Consumer Information Director
In the role of consumer information director, Joyce Hoppes is responsible for pork promotion programs. She works closely with retailers and the National Pork Board to promote pork to consumers. She also oversees outreach to nutrition and health professionals to educate them about the nutrients pork provides in the diet, as well as the safety of pork products.
Job Titles:
- Marketing Programs Director
Kelsey Sutter works with the Restaurant & Foodservice committee to market the use of pork by chefs at restaurants and in foodservice. She also assists with the We Care Iowa campaign to help tell the story of Iowa pig farmers.
Kevin Hall is responsible for developing and implementing IPPA's strategic communications plan, including issues management and public relations projects and campaigns. Hall is the initial contact for reporters seeking information and comments about issues in which IPPA is involved. He also oversees publication of the Iowa Pork Producer magazine and maintains the IPPA website.
Job Titles:
- Administrative Assistant
- CEO
Kiernan Johnson is the administrative assistant to the CEO at Iowa Pork Producers Association, and also for the IPPA Board of Directors.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Manson Fire Department
Lance has been raising pigs since 1987 and finishes 30,000 head annually with Heuser & Heuser Hogs. He is also the manager of Hog Slat's Humboldt location. When the Calhoun County Pork Producers renewed its activity in 2018, he helped plan and lead that effort, and has served as vice president, as well as membership/grilling board member. He has served on Iowa Pork Producers Association promotion and restaurant and food service committees. Lance also was part of the Iowa Pork Leadership Academy in 2021.
In his community, Lance is a member of the Manson Fire Department.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Committee
- IPPA District 1 Director
- Member of the Plymouth County Pork Producers
- Plymouth County Farm Bureau Member
- Vice President - Market Development
- Vice President - Market Development Remsen, IA - District 1
In addition to her role as IPPA District 1 Director, Linda serves on the IPPA Board of Directors Executive Committee as the Vice President of Producer Services. The VP of Producer Services supervises IPPA's producer education, swine health research, and youth awards programs.
Linda has been a member of the Plymouth County Pork Producers for more than 30 years. In addition to her board duties, she is currently serving on the IPPA promotion committee; is a graduate of the Iowa Pork Leadership Academy; and is a past winner of the Belle Ringer award from IPPA. She has served as a Pork Act delegate and a delegate to the National Pork Producers Council annual meeting.
Linda is also a Plymouth County Farm Bureau member and a member of the county 4-H Youth Committee. She studied dental hygiene at the University of South Dakota in Vermillion, S.D.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Committee
- President
- President Wellman, IA
Matt and his family have a farrow-to-finish swine enterprise called Prairie Pork. The Gent family lives near Wellman in Washington County. They also grow corn and soybeans.
Matt joined the IPPA Board of Directors in 2018. He was named a Master Pork Producer in 2015, and has served as an IPPA delegate to the National Pork Forum. At the local level, Matt has served on the Washington County Pork Producers Board of Directors since 2010, serving as vice president in 2012 and president in 2013. In addition, he is a member of the Iowa Corn Growers Association.
He has an agriculture business degree from Kirkwood Community College.
As CEO, Pat McGonegle is responsible for the staff and activities of the association. He oversees the development of programs, policies, and budgets that meet the mission and goals of the Iowa Pork Producers Association as outlined by the Board of Directors.
Job Titles:
- Allied Industry Representative
- Allied Industry Representative Iowa City, IA
Rod has spent 30 years managing and leading various aspects of pig production businesses. He is currently a development coordinator for Cactus Cares, a public charity founded by the employee owners of Cactus Feeders Inc., based in Amarillo, Texas; and an associate appraiser, real estate salesperson, and swine business consultant with Growthland.
Before serving the board in his current role, Rod was the District 2 Director on the Iowa Pork Producers Association Board of Directors. In addition, he has served on several IPPA committees, including public relations and promotion. He is a graduate of the Pork Leadership Institute. Rod also serves on the marketing committee for the National Pork Producers Council's Strategic Investment Program. Rod is a member of the Johnson County Pork Producers.
For more than a decade, Rod has spoken to civic, social, industry, and student groups on behalf of the pork industry through the Pork Checkoff's Operation Main Street program. A native of Minnesota, Rod earned a bachelor's degree in economics and computer science from the University of Minnesota-Morris.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Committee
- Vice President - Resources
- Vice President - Resources Hawarden, IA - NW Regional Director ( Districts 1 & 2 )
Tim, who lives near Hawarden, owns Rehder Farms Inc. and finishes 4,000 head per year in a farrow-to-finish operation. He also farms 1,400 acres in corn and 1,100 in soybeans. Tim served as president of the Sioux County Pork Producers from 2005 to 2021, and is currently on the Iowa Pork Producers Association's membership/leadership committee. He has served as a delegate to many Pork Industry Forum events, is a member of the National Pork Producers Council, and was part of the Pork Leadership Institute, conducted by the National Pork Board and National Pork Producers Council.
He also is a member of the National Cattlemen's Beef Association and Iowa Cattlemen's Association.
Tim studied at South Dakota State University, and has a degree in agricultural business.
As Communications Manager, Tina Hinz assists the Communications Director on several projects, providing stories for the Iowa Pork Producer magazine and writing news releases. She also manages the website content and produces in-house videos.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Committee
Trish Cook's family owns and operates a family farm in Buchanan County. That farm, CBL Farms, includes a 1,200-sow, farrow-to-finish farm which markets 32,000 pigs annually. Trish and her husband Aaron also farm 1,200 acres of corn and soybeans. In 2009, they were named Master Pork Producers, and followed that in 2010 as IPPA Pork All-Americans. The Cooks have also received the Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award. Trish is a 27-year member of the Buchanan County Pork Producers and served as a county board member. She has served on the IPPA Board of Directors since 2019, when she joined as the Northeast Region Director.
Trish has served on several IPPA committees and participated in the Iowa Pork Leadership Academy and the National Pork Producers Council‘s Pork Leadership Institute. She has an accounting degree from Iowa State University and an MBA from the University of Iowa.
Job Titles:
- Education Director
- Producer
Zoey Dinkla is responsible for developing informational material for Iowa pig farmers, administering pork quality improvement programs, and working with key stakeholder groups such as Iowa Farm Animal Care and the Iowa Pork Industry Center.