Chairman of Henning Holdings and its affiliates, Jeff Henning has been employed with the company for 45-years starting after receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering Operations from Iowa State University. Henning Family Farms is a partner in several egg farm partnerships including poultry industry companies created to add...
After completing a bachelor of science in Poultry Science from Michigan State University, Greg became a full-time employee of the family business in 1979. Today Greg leads the family business as President where he leads all Vice Presidents and all divisions, nine million hens and a team of +900 employees....
Dr. Daniel J. Robison is the holder of the Endowed Dean’s Chair in College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS) at Iowa State University. He also serves as the director for the Iowa Agriculture and Home Economics Experiment Station. Robison is a New Jersey native, and serves as the 11th...
Pete Block received a BA in Economics from Syracuse University in 1981. Block entered the poultry industry in 1984 working for Hy-Line International on the west coast. He served first as a sales representative in Southern California and in 1988 and became their Western Region Manager. In 2007, Block became...
After high school, Bruce Dooyema pursued a career on the family farm southwest of Sioux Center doing both dairy and egg production. After a dairy barn fire in the fall of 1986, the Dooyema family decided to turn their attention to egg production only. Today, the farm — Center Fresh...
Steve George is a growth-oriented executive with experience in agribusiness, infrastructure development, finance, and technology. He has been active in the egg production industry for over 20 years and is a fourth-generation farmer. He is a partner/investor in Fremont Farms of Iowa, LLP, a leading supplier of liquid egg products,...
Dr. Jonathan Merkle is the Chief Science Officer and Vice President of Science and Technology for Michael Foods, Inc. He serves as the process authority and is responsible for sound implementation of science and technology throughout the company. In addition, he is responsible for the technical evaluation and business implementation...
Dr. Paul Patterson is a Professor and Poultry Science Extension Specialist for Pennsylvania State University and holds a doctorate degree in poultry science and nutritional science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. His main research interests target environmental poultry management, including the management of manure and by-products of poultry production as...
Roger Pelissero is third generation egg farmer from St. Ann’s, Ontario and Chair of the Board of Egg Farmers of Canada. Prior to his appointment as Chairman in 2017, Roger represented Ontario on the Egg Farmers of Canada Board of Directors. He has also served on numerous Board appointed committees...
As President of Heritage Poultry Management Services, Inc. in Annville, Pennsylviania, Chris Pierce is pleased to have the chance to work with local business and the Pennsylvania egg industry to support the rural way of life so important to Pennsylvania. Chris is committed to ensuring that the Pennsylvania egg industry...
Dr. Jason Ross, Lloyd L. Anderson Endowed Professor in Physiology, is the chair of the Department of Animal Science at Iowa State University. Prior to his appointment, Ross served as the department's associate chair for industry engagement and was director of the Iowa Pork Industry Center and the Animal Gene...
Dr. Mickey Rubin is the Executive Director of the Egg Nutrition Center (ENC), the science and education division of the American Egg Board. Dr. Rubin has served in his current role since 2018. Prior to joining ENC, Dr. Rubin had a variety of roles in the food industry starting at...
Marcus Rust is the CEO of Rose Acre Farms. Growing up on the farm in southern hills of Indiana, Marcus did every aspect of the egg business and row crop farming the old fashioned way first. Before 1966, Rose Acre never had a hen in a cage. Rose Acres finished...
Michael Sencer is the Senior Vice President for Hidden Villa Ranch located in Fullerton, California. Involved in the food and egg industry for over 45 years, he started in 1971, working nights for California Ranch Fresh Egg Company in El Monte, California. Sencer became a working partner at that company...
Dr. Hongwei Xin serves as the dean of Ag Research and director of the Tennessee Agricultural Experiment Station at The University of Tennessee (UT) where he directs several research programs of some 200 scientists and 450 specialized staff located on campus and at 10 strategically-located Research and Education Centers across...
Mike Naig grew up on a family farm in the northwest corner of the state near Cylinder, Iowa. Early in his life, he learned the value of hard work by helping his dad and uncle run their crop and livestock farm. He continues to be involved in the operation today....
As the Executive Director of the Iowa Egg Council and North Central Poultry Association, Mindy Larsen acts as a resource for poultry production activities and provides leadership and advocacy for the industry. She has a deep-rooted passion for agriculture as she grew up on a family farm that raised crops...
Dr. Craig Rowles has been involved in animal agriculture for nearly 30 years. He worked as a mixed animal veterinarian for 14 years before leaving the practice to become the General Manager and partner in Elite Pork Partnership. Elite Pork was sold in 2014, and he transitioned into the General...