AMS No. 275-12

Sam Jones-Ellard (202) 660-2268

Samuel.jones@ams.usda.gov

WASHINGTON, December 11, 2012--Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced the appointment of 156 pork 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: Mark G. Pennington, Luther L. Bishop

Alaska: Richard C. Worrell, Patricia R. Worrell

Arizona: Alfredo P. Sotomayor, Leslie J. Cain

Arkansas: Roger L. Hammond, Claus S. Stephan

California: Steven P. Egbert, Jim Brem

Colorado: Roc M. Rutledge, Steven M. Foos

Connecticut: Charles E. Rowland

Delaware: John B. Tigner, Jr., Henry C. Johnson IV

Florida: Ricky N. Lyons, James W. Wood

Georgia: Dania DeVane, Markus E. Clemmer

Hawaii: Wayne I. Shimokawa, Evelyn A. Telles

Idaho: Thomas A. Goodwin, Robert T. Johnson

Illinois: Dereke A. Dunkirk, Curtis D. Zehr, Robert C. Frase, Michael E. Haag, Phillip J. Borgic, Todd A. Dail

Indiana: Charles R. Curless, Samuel D. Moffitt, Mark R. York, Michael S. Lewis,

Emiley D. Gaskill, Nicholas T. Maple

Iowa: Mary J. Bierman, Jamie M. Schmidt, Edward E. Juhl, Albert F. Wulfekuhle,

Bryan K. Karwal, David D. Struthers, David H. Calderwood, Joel A. Huber, Stephen J. Burgmeier, Rodney G. Dykstra, Howard T. Hill, Gregg K. Hora, Chad R. Keppy,

Steven L. Kerns, Jill Kerber-Aldous, Gregory R. Lear, Curtis D. Meier, Mark J. Meirick, David E. Moody, Roger W. Nath, Dale G. Reicks, Marvin J. Rietema, Craig J. Rowles, Max S. Schmidt, Leon C. Sheets, Scott W. Tapper, Bill J. Tentinger, Eugene D. Ver Steeg, Joel D. Van Gilst, John E. Vossberg

Kansas: Michael L. Springer, Alan J. Haverkamp, Peter K. Sherlock, Kent F. Condray

Kentucky: James R. Coates, Benjamin R. Hudnall

Louisiana: Rebecca L. Lirette, Louis J. Lirette

Maine: Barrett A. Parks, Deena A. Parks

Maryland: Thomas G. Hartsock, Charles T. Linthicum

Massachusetts: Lisa D. Colby

Michigan: Fred H. Walcott, Brian D. Pridgeon, Andrew T. White

Minnesota: William L. Crawford, Kevin W. Estrem, Patrick L. Fitzsimmons, Margaret E. Freking, Curtis J. Johnson, Kelly D. Graff, Nathan S. Potter, Sheila A. Schmid, Douglas A. Stade, Tim A. Steuber, Patrick E. Thome, Jacqueline S. Tlam

Mississippi: Terry W. Emerson, Donny W. Ray

Missouri: Marcus O. Belshe, John N. Howerton, Scott W. Phillips, Kristine K. Scheiler-Stewart

Montana: Bruce A. Samson, Joseph D. Hofer

Nebraska: Shane C. Meyer, Russell J. Vering, Karen J. Grant, Scott A. Spilker, Troy D. McCain

New Hampshire: Eric M. Gitschier, Doreen R. Gitschier

New Jersey: Salvatore J. Villari

New York: Edward S. Keller, Jr., Deborah J. Lash

North Carolina: David D. Herring, James L. Lamb, Channing R. Gooden, Janet K. Archer, George H. Pettus, Henry E. Faison, Donald P. Butler, Mark W. Daughtry, Kimberly S. Griffin, Melanie D. Williamson, Brandon L. Warren

North Dakota: Nanci R. Neuman, Seth D. Bacon

Ohio: William R. Knapke, Connie E. Surber, Alan R. Wuebker, Charles A. Weldman

Oklahoma: Karen D. Brewer, David P. McMullen, Joe C. Popplewell, William M. Barnes

Oregon: Jason M. Wille, Kristina R. Wille

Pennsylvania: David A. Reinecker, Daniel W. Groff, Oscar J. Manbeck

South Carolina: Larry B. DeHart, Mark A. McLeod

South Dakota: David J. Uttecht, Ryan C. Storm, Shannon G. Klumb

Tennessee: Dolly J. Barnes, Jamey C. Tosh

Texas: H. Melton Harms, Corby D. Barrett

Utah: Todd N. Ballard, Dwight D. Potter

Virginia: Brandon R. Horsley, Jessica P. Cunningham

Washington: John S. Cocking, Paul M. Klingeman

Wisconsin: Mike E. Salter, Howard AV Roth

Wyoming: Ana L. Shmidl, Shawn M. Shmidl

Importers appointed to the delegate body are: Ole Nielsen, Stig H. Kjaeroe, David E. Biltchik, and Kok Yan (Michael) Chiu.

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 8-9, 2013, National Pork Industry Forum in Orlando, Florida.

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