Dr. Brett Ramirez is an associate professor of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering at Iowa State University. His work centers on ventilation systems, energy and resource efficiency, animal energetics, environmental control, and precision livestock farming. Ramirez conducts research to improve technologies used in livestock and poultry production and supports the industry through extension programs focused on facility design, management, and troubleshooting.
His experience includes collaborations with the egg industry to enhance resource efficiency and address air quality and emissions challenges, including contributions to the 2022 EPA draft emissions model study conducted by the Egg Industry Center. He has also led projects quantifying energy use in poultry operations, particularly in relation to manure-handling systems. In addition, Ramirez regularly delivers ventilation workshops for producers and industry professionals.
He earned his Ph.D. from Iowa State University and holds M.S. and B.S. degrees from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Dr. John Emerson Linhoss is an Assistant Professor of Biosystems Engineering at Auburn University, specializing in poultry housing, environmental control, and precision livestock technologies. He earned his Ph.D. in Agricultural Science and Engineering Technology from Mississippi State University, along with an M.S. from the University of Florida and a B.S. from Birmingham-Southern College.
Linhoss’s research focuses on poultry house management, animal behavior and welfare, ventilation and lighting systems, and the use of sensors, instrumentation, and spatial data analysis to improve production efficiency. His work integrates engineering and data-driven approaches to optimize environmental conditions in commercial poultry facilities.
Prior to joining Auburn, he held Extension and research appointments at Mississippi State University and the University of Florida, where he developed practical solutions for producers. Linhoss has secured significant research funding, published extensively in leading journals, and contributed to numerous multistate research initiatives. His teaching and Extension programs emphasize applied learning, technology adoption, and advancing innovation in modern poultry production systems.
Dr. JiQin (JQ) Ni is a professor of Agricultural and Biological Engineering at Purdue University. He earned his Ph.D. in agricultural engineering from the Catholic University of Leuven. His research and Extension programs focus on agricultural air quality, waste management, and anaerobic digestion, with an emphasis on developing practical methodologies and technologies for livestock and poultry systems.
Ni’s recent work examines ventilation monitoring in both experimental livestock facilities and commercial layer farms. He has conducted extensive studies on dust concentrations within and around animal housing, as well as establishing aerial pollutant emission baselines. His research also explores factors influencing dust production in egg production systems, including the role of dynamic artificial lighting. In addition, he develops innovative approaches to measure and mitigate dust and airborne pollutants, thereby improving environmental performance and animal housing conditions.
Chris Buckley is the General Manager of Liquid Egg and Contract Operations at Trillium Farms. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science from The Ohio State University.
In his role, Buckley oversees the operational management of liquid egg production and contract manufacturing, focusing on efficiency, food safety, and consistent product quality across large-scale processing systems. He works closely with production teams and industry partners to ensure that operations meet regulatory standards and customer requirements while maintaining high levels of animal welfare and biosecurity.
Buckley’s background in animal science provides a foundation for understanding poultry production systems and integrating science-based practices into large-scale egg processing and supply chain management. His work emphasizes operational reliability, continuous improvement, and coordination across complex production and contracting networks within the egg industry.
Dr. Kenneth E. Anderson is a WNR Professor and Extension Specialist Emeritus in the Prestage Department of Poultry Science at North Carolina State University, where he has served on the faculty since 1990. Raised on a poultry layer farm in Illinois, he earned his B.S. from Southern Illinois University and later completed his M.S. and Ph.D. in Poultry Management at Kansas State University.
At NC State, Anderson’s work has spanned Extension, research, and teaching, with a focus on pullet and laying hen management, nutrition, and egg quality and safety. His research at the Piedmont Research Station has covered a range of production systems, including cage-free, enriched colony, and conventional housing, as well as egg processing and safety.
Over his career, he has authored more than 150 peer-reviewed publications and delivered hundreds of scientific and industry presentations. Anderson has received numerous honors, including recognition as a Poultry Science Association Fellow and major industry awards for his contributions to poultry science.
Devin Weston is a Senior Farm Support Manager at Vital Farms. In his role, he supports farm operations within Vital Farms’ production system, working with farm partners to help ensure effective on-farm management and alignment with company standards. Over the last decade, Weston has worked in both conventional broiler production as well as pasture raised table egg production. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Business from Arkansas Tech University.
Dr. Steven Brake is an agricultural professional with more than 40 years of experience in poultry production, agricultural education, and international development. He serves as Chief Executive Officer of the North Carolina Center for Poultry Education and is the owner of S & N Enterprises LLC, a commercial poultry operation in North Carolina.
Dr. Brake studied philosophy at Campbell University and earned a B.A. in Agricultural Communications and Leadership from the University of Mount Olive, a Master of Agricultural Education and Extension from North Carolina State University, and a Ph.D. in Agricultural Sciences focused on International Agricultural Development from PATH University in the Republic of Guinea, where he also serves as Chairman of the Board of Trustees.
His work emphasizes strengthening agricultural education, workforce development, and global partnerships. He is committed to advancing sustainable agriculture, supporting farmer education, and developing leadership capacity both in the United States and internationally.
Dr. Hojae Yi, Ph.D., is an Assistant Research Professor in the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering at The Pennsylvania State University, where he also serves as Graduate Program Coordinator.
His research focuses on the engineering mechanics of agricultural and biological materials, with an emphasis on particulate and powder systems. His areas of expertise include powder mechanics; storage, conveying, mixing, size reduction, flow, segregation, and compaction of particulate materials; and the characterization of physical and mechanical properties of biological materials. He also develops mathematical and numerical models to simulate mechanical behavior in particulate and biological systems, applying engineering principles to challenges in renewable energy, food systems, and consumer products.
Dr. Yi earned his Ph.D., M.S., and B.S. in Agricultural Engineering from Seoul National University. Prior to his current role, he served as a postdoctoral scholar, research associate, and guest researcher at Pennsylvania State University and Seoul National University. His research contributions include extensive publications in biomass mechanics, particulate flow modeling, and plant biomechanics.
Dan Fields holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from The Ohio State University and has built his career in the food and beverage industry, with experience spanning engineering, safety, environmental management, and security.
As Vice President of Compliance, Sustainability, and Regulatory Affairs at Herbruck’s Poultry Ranch, Fields leads a team responsible for ensuring compliance with environmental regulations, worker health and safety standards, food safety and quality requirements, and animal welfare guidelines. His work also includes oversight of third-party certifications and customer standards such as SQF, the National Organic Program, and American Humane.
In his role, Fields focuses on developing collaborative partnerships both within the organization and with external stakeholders to advance continuous improvement in animal welfare, food safety and quality, environmental stewardship, and occupational health and safety.
Chris Branstad is a sales and service representative for Grain & Protein Technologies’ Climate Control & Air Treatment (GPT CCAT) division, where he works closely with poultry producers and agricultural professionals across the United States. His role emphasizes applying technical knowledge and research-based practices to improve environmental control systems in livestock and poultry facilities.
Branstad collaborates with producers, engineers, and industry partners to support the design and optimization of ventilation and climate systems for new construction, remodels, and facility conversions. He is actively engaged in translating emerging research and industry advancements into practical solutions that enhance animal welfare, environmental performance, and production efficiency.
A graduate of Iowa State University, Branstad brings a strong foundation in agricultural education and applied science. Through his work, he contributes to ongoing learning within the industry by providing technical guidance, on-site consultation, and knowledge-sharing that support innovation and continuous improvement in modern livestock production systems.
Wayne Sundby is a sales professional at SKOV with over 30 years of experience in the agricultural and construction industries. He began his career working summers on his grandparents’ thoroughbred horse farm in the late 1970s and later gained hands-on experience on a mixed dairy and grain farm in the 1980s. Since entering the poultry and swine equipment industry in Saskatchewan, Canada, in 1996, he has developed strong expertise in account management, business development, and customer relationship management.
At SKOV, Sundby works closely with customers to support ventilation and climate solutions for livestock production systems, aligning technical systems with operational goals. His background includes designing and building poultry, swine, and dairy barns, as well as working with grain handling, drying, storage, and automated feed systems.
Throughout his career, he has contributed to business growth by expanding customer networks, adopting new technologies, and delivering practical, data-driven solutions across North America.
Josh Vails is a seasoned poultry professional with more than 25 years of experience in broiler production, specializing in live production, poultry house ventilation design, animal husbandry, and farm management. In his role at Georgia Poultry Inc., he applies extensive field knowledge to support efficient and effective poultry production systems.
Vails is particularly recognized for his commitment to education and outreach within the industry. He works closely with farmers and customers to share best practices in ventilation management, equipment selection, and overall flock care, helping translate practical experience and evolving industry knowledge into improved on-farm outcomes. His efforts contribute to ongoing learning and skill development among producers, supporting advancements in animal welfare and production efficiency.
Through his work, Vails plays an important role in bridging hands-on experience with continuous education in modern poultry production systems.
