NPPC - Key Persons

Andrew Bailey

Job Titles:

Senior Policy and Compliance Advisor

Andrew Bailey serves as the Senior Policy and Compliance Advisor for the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC). In his role, Bailey manages NPPC's advocacy for science and technology issues. He works closely with NPPC's Congressional Affairs team and staff veterinarians to communicate industry priorities to Congress and the administration. Prior to joining NPPC, Bailey worked as a staff attorney at Siff and Associates. He also worked for the National Turkey Federation in agriculture policy. Bailey earned his J.D. from The George Washington University, and a B.A. and B.B.A. from Mississippi State University.

Andrew Beardslee

Job Titles:

Director of State Policy

Andrew Beardslee serves as the Director of State Policy for the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC). In this position, Beardslee coordinates the NPPC state policy agenda, manages state lobbying activity, and builds proactive campaigns to further NPPC policy efforts and protect producers' freedom to operate. Beardslee has over a decade of experience in state government. Prior to joining NPPC, he worked on the Michigan House Republican Policy staff as Deputy Budget Director and Policy Adviser. He also served as a Legislative Analyst for the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) and a Legislative Liaison for the Michigan Department of Transportation. Beardslee obtained a B.A. from Grand Valley State University where he studied English, Spanish and applied Linguistics.

Angel Pilat

Job Titles:

Administrative Assistant
Administrative Assistant / Operations

Angela O'Hara - CEO

Job Titles:

CEO
Executive Assistant
Executive Assistant to the CEO and Board of Directors
Executive Assistant to the CEO and Board of Directors / Operations

Annemarie Pender

Job Titles:

Assistant Vice President of Marketing and Communications

As Assistant Vice President, Marketing and Communications, Annemarie Pender has overall responsibility for NPPC communications strategy, planning and execution. She oversees external communications, including media relations and digital communications and supports NPPC's public policy, industry relations and resource development teams.

Bob Ivey

Job Titles:

Director
Director / Goldsboro, NC

Brad Schmidt

Job Titles:

Minnesota Regional Director of Producer Services
Regional Director of Producer Services ( MN )

Brad Schmidt is the Minnesota Regional Director of Producer Services for the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC). Working directly with pork producers, Schmidt works to increase awareness of NPPC programs and current policy priorities within the pork industry. He also represents NPPC at various producer functions. Before joining NPPC in 2020, Schmidt worked as a Business Analyst for Ziegler Caterpillar Inc. He received a B.A. in technology management with a minor in marketing and public relations from the University of Northern Iowa. Growing up in Martin County, Minnesota the "bacon capital of the U.S.," Schmidt has been involved in agriculture his entire life. He was actively involved on his family's corn, soybean, and hog farm as well as volunteering with the Martin County Pork Producers Association.

Bryan Humphreys - CEO

Job Titles:

Chief Executive Officer

Bryan Humphreys is the Chief Executive Officer of the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC). He is responsible for implementing NPPC's overall operations and programs. From growing up on a family pig farm to becoming an industry advocate, Humphreys brings a lifetime of pork industry experience. Before joining NPPC in 2022, Humphreys was a senior vice president at the National Pork Board. In this role, Humphreys implemented a nationwide producer outreach plan during the pandemic and strengthened relationships on behalf of the organization. In doing so, Humphreys helped guide the organization to exceed expectations set by the industry. Previously, Humphreys served as the executive vice president of the Ohio Pork Council (OPC). At OPC, Humphreys cultivated award-winning producer image campaigns and fostered positive relationships with stakeholders and community members. Humphreys also served as the director of grassroots operations for NPPC and has several years of experience working on political campaigns across the country. Through these roles, Humphreys recruited advocates and volunteers to promote organization and campaign initiatives. Humphreys earned a bachelor's from Iowa State University and a master's degree from George Washington University. Humphreys is originally from southeast Iowa, where he grew up on his family farm.

Chase Adams

Job Titles:

Senior Director of Congressional Relations

As Senior Director of Congressional Relations, Chase Adams works closely with all NPPC issue managers to ensure maximum success of NPPC initiatives and its advocacy agenda on Capitol Hill. Chase is a registered lobbyist.

Christina Banoub

Job Titles:

Manager of Competition, Labor and Tax Issues

Cody McKinley

Job Titles:

Vice President of State and National Relations of the National Pork Producers

Cody McKinley is the Vice President of State and National Relations of the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC). He is responsible for assisting and supporting program staff at the state and national level in conducting work on behalf of pork producers. In his role, he serves as the primary point of contact for state pork organizations while also training and managing NPPC's grassroots programs Legislative Education Action Development Resource (LEADR) and joint program Pork Leadership Institute (PLI). Prior to joining NPPC, McKinley worked at the Iowa Pork Producers Association as the producer outreach director and later as the policy director. McKinley earned a B.S. in agriculture business from Iowa State University. He grew up near Walker, Iowa on this family's diversified crop and livestock farm.

Cole Spain

Job Titles:

Regional Manager of Producer Services ( IA )

As Regional Manager of Producer Services (IA) for NPPC, Cole works directly with Pete Houska to increase awareness of NPPC programs and participation in the Strategic Investment Program (SIP) primarily in Iowa. Spain has participated in numerous leadership roles and activities within the industry, some include serving as an IPPA Pork Youth Ambassador and a Real Pig Farming student social forces team with the Pork Checkoff. Raised on his family's diversified livestock and row crop farm in Northeast, Iowa, Spain attended Iowa State University, earning a B.S. in agricultural and life sciences education. He received a M.S. in international agriculture from Oklahoma State University.

Craig Andersen

Job Titles:

Director
Director / Centerville, SD

Craig Boelling

Job Titles:

Vice President of Resource Development

Craig Boelling is the NPPC Vice President of Resource Development. In this position he is responsible for key resource development areas of NPPC which include the Strategic Investment Program, Allied Industry/Alliance and World Pork Expo.

Craig Edsill

Job Titles:

Director
PPIC Director / Hatfield, PA

Denise Veldhuizen - COO

Job Titles:

Director of Operations
Director of Operations / Operations

As Director of Operations, Denise is responsible for planning, directing and coordinating the administrative and operational functions of organization. Additionally, she handles the day-to-day human resources for the organization, which includes recruiting, employee relations, payroll, benefits administration, onboarding, staff training and professional development.

Doug Fricke

Job Titles:

Director of Trade Show Marketing

Doug Fricke is the Director of Trade Show Marketing for the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC). In this position, he focuses on developing relationships with exhibiting companies (booth sales) and attendees to ensure events provide a valuable service. Fricke has extensive experience in the swine industry. Before joining NPPC in 2005, Fricke was at John Morrell & Company and also spent nearly ten years working at the Iowa Pork Producers Association. Fricke earned his B.A. from the University of Northern Iowa majoring in public relations. He is originally from Carroll, Iowa where he was involved in the agriculture industry growing up.

Dr. Anna Forseth

Job Titles:

Director of Animal Health

Dr. Anna Forseth is the Director of Animal Health for the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC). In her role she is the liaison between the pork industry and the government on pre-harvest animal health and public health issues. These include animal welfare, antimicrobial use and resistance, and foreign animal disease prevention and preparedness. Before joining NPPC, Dr. Forseth worked as a staff veterinarian for the Department of Livestock. She interned for the National Pork Board in college and worked for Smithfield Foods during graduate school. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in animal science from Montana State University, attended vet school at Colorado State University, and earned a Master of Arts in veterinary medicine prevention from Iowa State University. Dr. Forseth is no stranger to the swine industry. She grew up in south central Montana on her family's 300 sow farrow to finish operation. Her family was actively involved in the state pork organization and her father served as a director for the National Pork Board.

Dr. Ashley Johnson

Job Titles:

Director of Food Policy

As Director of Food Policy, Dr. Johnson's work focuses on developing and implementing post-harvest food safety and human nutrition programs and addressing animal care issues in market channels.

Dr. Jeremy Pittman

Job Titles:

Director
Director / Waverly, VA

Dr. Trachelle Carr

Job Titles:

International Technical Services Specialist / Public Policy Office

Duane Stateler

Job Titles:

Member of the Officers Team
Vice President / McComb, OH

Dwight Mogler

Job Titles:

Director
Director / Lester, IA

Francis Forst

Job Titles:

Director
Director / Lamar, MO

Halicia Hamlett

Job Titles:

Investor

Holly Cook

Job Titles:

Economist
Economist / Public Policy Office

Holly Cook is National Pork Producers Council's Economist and is responsible for providing economic support to NPPC staff. She collects and analyzes data related to hog prices, production, profitability, inventories, pork price spreads, national employment, food prices and exports. Cook also conducts economic research related to the impacts of proposed policies and regulations on the pork industry and develops resources for staff and stakeholders. Before joining NPPC in 2021, Cook worked for Decision Innovation Solutions during graduate school as an economic research intern. She also completed several internships within the pork industry, including working as an International Marketing Intern for the National Pork Board and the Legislative Intern for the Iowa Pork Producers Association. Cook grew up on a farrow to finish swine operation in Winthrop, Iowa and has been involved in the pork industry her entire life. In addition to her agriculture background, Cook holds a M.S. in agricultural economics from Iowa State University and a B.S. with double majors in agricultural business and economics, also from Iowa State.

Jeb Stevens

Job Titles:

Director
Director / Osgood, in

Jeff Pigott

Job Titles:

Vice President of Industry Relations
Vice President of Industry Relations / Industry

Jeff Pigott is the Vice President of Industry Relations for the National Pork Producers Council. In this role, Pigott is responsible for enhancing relationships with the industry sectors from pork producers all the way to the consumers.

Josh Scramlin

Job Titles:

Regional Director of Producer Services ( in, MI, OH )

Julie Schwalbe

Job Titles:

Director of Industry Resource Development

As Director of Industry Resource Development, Julie Schwalbe works primarily with NPPC's Pork Alliance membership in recruitment, retention and sales. This position is also responsible for World Pork Expo sponsorships, raising PorkPAC funds through events and new business development.

Lauren Swanson

Job Titles:

Director of Meetings and Events
Director of Meetings and Events / Operations

As Director of Meetings and Events for the National Pork Producers Council, Lauren is responsible for the sourcing, contracting and execution of all producer and organization meetings and events. Lauren also handles system administration for multiple NPPC software applications.

Lori Stevermer

Job Titles:

Member of the Officers Team
President - Elect / Easton, MN

Lucy Russell

Job Titles:

Manager of Producer Engagement

As the Manager of Producer Engagement, Lucy is responsible for the coordination of and assisting in the delivery of pork industry messages and successes of NPPC activities to NPPC investors; state associations, producers, Alliance partners and members, packer processors and critical food chain audiences.

Luke Wall

Job Titles:

Regional Director of Producer Services ( IL, MO, WI )

Maria C. Zieba

Job Titles:

Vice President of International Affairs

Maria Zieba is the Vice President of International Affairs for the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) and helps represent over 65,000 U.S. pork producers. She works on NPPC's trade policy program, which focuses on opening, maintaining and increasing market access for U.S. pork. Prior to joining NPPC, Zieba was a Trade Policy Manager for the National Milk Producers Federation and the U.S. Dairy Export Council, where she worked on various non-technical trade issues affecting the dairy industry. Before that, she worked at the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Foreign Agricultural Service, managing capacity building projects aimed at increasing U.S. agricultural exports to emerging markets. Zieba holds a M.A. in international commerce and policy from George Mason University. She received her B.A. from the University of California, Riverside with a double major in political science-international affairs and Spanish. She is fluent in three languages and has lived in Washington, D.C., Southern California, Argentina and Brazil.

Matt Grill

Job Titles:

Director of Congressional Relations
Manager of Congressional Relations

As the Manager of Congressional Relations, Matt Grill works as a lobbyist on Capitol Hill advocating for legislative areas of concern to NPPC. These areas include the environmental, social and economic sustainability of U.S. pork producers and their partners.

Megan Beach

Job Titles:

Accounting and Administrative Assistant
Accounting and Administrative Assistant / Operations

Megan Beach serves as an Accounting and Administrative Assistant for the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC). In her role, she handles all accounts payable, accounts receivable, invoicing and other support for the accounting team, along with other Urbandale leadership team members. Prior to joining NPPC, Beach worked as an Office Manager and Administrator for Interstate Advanced Materials. She has also worked as a Special Events Coordinator for Animal Rescue League of Iowa, Inc. and a Communications and Events Coordinator for the Ankeny Area Chamber of Commerce. Beach graduated from Iowa State University with a B.S. in Marketing.

Meghan Cline

Job Titles:

Director of Policy Communications
Director of Policy Communications / Marketing and Communications

Michael Formica

Job Titles:

Chief Legal Strategist
National Pork Producer Council 's Chief Legal Strategist

As the National Pork Producer Council's Chief Legal Strategist, Michael Formica develops and implements the organization's legal strategy on the critical issues facing pig farmers today. He builds and leads broad coalitions to protect the rights of livestock farmers by working closely with the White House, congressional lawmakers and federal and state agencies on regulatory and legal issues. Throughout his legal career, Formica has successfully defended farmers and American agriculture in some of the most high-profile debates before all three branches of government. A former chair of the American Bar Association's Section on Environment, Energy and Resource's Water Quality and Wetlands Subcommittee and member of EPA's Clean Air Act Advisory Committee, he has been cited as one of Washington, DC's foremost experts on environmental and energy law. In 2022, his peers recognized him as one of the nation's top 100 lobbyists, and he received the American Agricultural Law Association's Excellence in Agricultural Law Award. Michael attended the University of Tennessee, the University of Rhode Island and Vermont Law School, where he founded the influential Vermont Journal of Environmental Law.

Mikayla Dolch

Job Titles:

Manager of Marketing and Digital Communications
Manager of Marketing and Digital Communications / Marketing and Communications

Mikayla Dolch is the Manager of Marketing and Digital Communications for the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC). As the Manager of Marketing and Digital Communications, Dolch is responsible for developing and executing digital communication campaigns that focus on engaging and influencing stakeholders across a range of issues including international trade, regulatory, science and technology and pork production. In addition, Dolch also manages NPPC social media platforms and the council's website. Dolch comes to NPPC from the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, where she was deputy director of communications for Secretary Mike Naig. Among her duties, she implemented and managed the department's public relations efforts and oversaw visual and written content for its social media channels. Prior to that, Dolch worked in the corporate affairs department for Renewable Energy Group and has interned for Senator Joni Ernst, the Iowa Pork Producers Association and the Iowa Soybean Association. She served her family's farming business, Dolch Brothers Farms, and led the southwest district for the Iowa FFA Association as vice president. Raised on her family's diversified livestock and row crop farm near Villisca, Iowa, Dolch attended Iowa State University, earning a B.S. in agricultural and life sciences education and international agriculture. She received a M.S. in international agriculture and agricultural communications from Oklahoma State University.