Several Egg Industry Center (EIC) advisory board members received well-deserved honors in 2024. EIC is excited to highlight and celebrate those who volunteer to serve the Egg Industry Center and the rest of the industry in all they do.
Honored with three outstanding awards in 2024 was Greg Herbruck, CEO of Herbruck's Poultry Ranch. Herbruck was highlighted by Crain’s Grand Rapids Business as one of 2024's most influential leaders in West Michigan. In June, he was identified as a winner of the Entrepreneur of the Year 2024 for Michigan and Northwest Ohio. This program honors many business leaders for their ingenuity, courage, and entrepreneurial spirit.
In November, Herbruck was named a finalist in the family business category for the national Entrepreneur of the Year 2024 Award by Ernst & Young LLP. He was chosen from a group of 214 Entrepreneur of the Year regional winners across the U.S.
Herbruck's leadership has been instrumental in the growth and success of Herbruck's Poultry Ranch, a fourth-generation family farm in Saranac, Michigan. Under his guidance, the company has made tremendous strides, creating a culture encouraging continuous improvement. Herbruck credits his success to the hard-working team at Herbruck's Poultry Ranch, who wake up each day striving to do better than yesterday.
Greg Herbruck served as the 2024 Egg Industry Center Advisory Board Vice Chair. His vision and leadership continue to inspire EIC and the greater egg community.
Sioux Center, Iowa native, Bruce Dooyema, received two recognition awards in 2024. The Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award was awarded to the Dooyema family in July. The award is a joint effort between the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, the Coalition to Support Iowa's Farmers, and WHO Radio. In September, Dooyema was recognized with the Hall of Fame Award from the North Central Poultry Association for his dedication to animal care, environmental stewardship, and community service.
As part of both awards, Dooyema was hailed for turning a summer project of 12 egg-laying hens when he was 13 yrs old, into what eventually grew to today's Center Fresh Egg Farm, now part of the Versova family. Under Dooyema's leadership, the farm has implemented sustainable practices like crop rotation, water recycling, and soil conservation. Through the Versova family, he is giving guidance to support agricultural education in both layer and crop production, in the countries of Mozambique, South Africa and Honduras.
In his community, Dooyema is serving on the executive board of Sioux Center Health, Sioux Center Chamber Agricultural Committee, president of the local volunteer ambulance squad, fills in as a school bus driver when needed, and serves on his church’s long range planning committee.
The Egg Industry Center is proud to have Bruce Dooyema on our board and grateful for his passion, hard work and dedication to the world's egg industry.
The American Society of Animal Science honored Dr. Jason Ross with its 2024 Extension Award. This award celebrates those who have outstanding and noteworthy commitments through the initiation or development of programs and projects that benefit animal production at least 10 years before nomination.
As the Lloyd L. Anderson Endowed Professor of Physiology and Chair of the Department of Animal Science at Iowa State University, Dr. Ross has tremendously impacted the animal agriculture industry and the careers of many. As the previous Director of the Iowa Pork Industry Center (IPIC), Ross led research and extension efforts on behalf of the U.S. swine industry. Under his guidance, IPIC played a key role in distributing science-based information during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ross also received the Iowa State University Early Achievement in Departmental Leadership award. This award recognized Ross’ creation of an Early Acceptance Program for production animal veterinarians, reestablishing the animal science external advisory board, overseeing construction completion of new research and teaching facilities, and facilitating additional funding for departmental research.
Dr. Ross' expertise and experience are an invaluable asset to EIC’s board, and we congratulate him on these outstanding awards.
In October, Dr. Craig Rowles was recognized as the United Egg Producers (UEP) Egg Producer of the Year award highlighting his exceptional leadership and dedication to the egg industry.
For the past 10 years, Rowles has served as General Manager of Cage-Free Operations for Versova Management Company. His extensive experience in animal agriculture, including roles as a practicing veterinarian, manager, and partner of Elite Pork Partnership, deepened the expertise he brought to the egg industry. Rowles' extensive knowledge of animal welfare and production management has earned him a well-deserved place in the UEP Hall of Fame. Beyond his commitments to UEP committees, Rowles also serves as president of the North Central Poultry Association Board, a member of the Egg Industry Center Board, and the International Egg Commission’s Avian Influenza Global Expert Group.
EIC is honored to have Dr. Rowles' enthusiasm, vision, and commitment to the future of egg production, helping to fuel the operations at the Egg Industry Center.
The Pacific Egg & Poultry Association (PEPA) recognized Michael Sencer as the 2024 PEPA Industry Person of the Year.
As Senior Vice President for Hidden Villa Ranch in Fullerton, California, Sencer has been involved in the food and egg industry for over 50 years serving on the State of California Shell Egg Advisory Board and the Newcastle/Avian Bird Flu Task Force. Nationally, he has served on the American Egg Board, United Egg Producer’s committees, and the PEPA Board in addition to his work with the Egg Industry Center advisory board.
EIC is grateful to Michael Sencer for his insight and willingness to help us become a stronger board and organization.
Congratulations to all 2024 award winners, and a big thank you to all the Egg Industry Center board members for their time, energy, and efforts to ensure EIC does its best to serve the North American egg industry.