AMES, Iowa — The Egg Industry Center (EIC) has recognized Jeff Henning, industry leader and founding EIC board member, as the recipient of the 2026 LeggACY Maker Award for his sustained leadership and measurable contributions to the advancement of the U.S. egg industry and EIC.
Henning is widely known for his role as CEO of Henning Construction Company from 1971 to 2000. Under his leadership, the company became a key player in supporting modern egg production systems as part of its construction portfolio. At the same time, Henning’s influence extended well beyond construction, shaping strategic decisions across multiple egg production enterprises. Henning was also at the forefront of the cage‑free transition through the development of Iowa Cage Free, LLLP.
Henning has also played an important role in advancing industry innovation beyond the farm gate. He helped support and develop businesses that add value to egg industry by‑products, including Naturally Recycled Proteins (NRP) and Biova, which utilizes eggshell membranes for applications in human and pet health.
In addition to his business leadership, Henning is active in industry and community organizations. His service includes membership in the International Egg Commission, the Iowa Poultry Association, the United Egg Producers Allied Association, and United Egg Producers as a producer member. He is also a past Vice Chairman of the Board for the Midwest Poultry Consortium, where he supported workforce development, research, and education initiatives critical to poultry production.
Henning was the Mayor of Latimer, Iowa, and has held leadership roles with the Delta Tau Delta Educational Foundation and Rotary International, reflecting a longstanding commitment to civic engagement alongside industry leadership.
Within the Egg Industry Center, Henning was seated as a founding board member in 2008 and was elected Board Chairman in 2021. Under his leadership, EIC recommitted to its original research funding objectives, leading to growth of the Center’s research fund and expanding its ability to support applied, producer‑driven projects. As a result, EIC can now fund an additional full research project each year, directly benefiting producers through practical, science‑based solutions.
Dr. Hongwei Xin, inaugural director of the Egg Industry Center, commented on how Henning always brought a steady, strategic approach to EIC’s decisions and always had a clear vision for how research and education could stay closely aligned with industry needs.
Iowa State University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Endowed Dean’s Chair, Daniel J. Robison, stated, “Jeff Henning is truly an outstanding industry, community, thought, and forward-looking leader. At the recognition ceremony for this award, as part of the annual EIC Egg Industry Issues Forum held in Minneapolis April 16, 2026, it was well said by his colleague, friend and partner, Dr. Craig Rowles, Vice President of Strategic Projects for Versova, that Jeff Henning is the kind of leader who makes an organization complete and engaged and makes people around him better with his drive and his care. That’s exactly what Jeff does for the Egg Industry Center! The level of activity and impact of the EIC is very much a reflection of his work. He is exactly the right recipient of this award and EIC looks forward to his continued leadership!”
Other’s that work with Henning say his leadership style is focused on consensus, clarity, and timely decision‑making, which helped guide the Center through key strategic discussions while keeping it flexible and industry‑responsive.
The LeggACY Maker Award honors individuals whose long‑term vision, strategic leadership, and commitment to collaboration have left a lasting mark on the Egg Industry Center and the entire egg industry. It is clear that Jeff Henning’s decades of engagement across egg production, allied industries, and applied research have definitely left a mark that will last for generations to come. Congratulations to Jeff Henning, the Egg Industry Center’s 2026 LeggACY Maker Award Winner.
