NPPC welcomes new producer leadership

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The National Pork Producers Council elected new officers and board members to lead the organization through the 2026-2027 term.

These experienced leaders will guide NPPC’s advocacy efforts, advancing policies that support the growth, sustainability and long-term resilience of the U.S. pork industry.

“These leaders are stepping up at an important moment for our industry,” said NPPC CEO Bryan Humphreys. “With many issues to tackle in the year ahead, these devoted men and women understand the importance of standing together to advocate for policies that protect and advance U.S. pork production.”

2026-2027 Officers

• President — Rob Brenneman, Washington, Iowa: Brenneman owns and operates Brenneman Pork, a multigenerational family farm. A dedicated industry advocate, he has served on the NPPC Board of Directors since 2021 and held leadership roles with the National Pork Board and Iowa Pork Producers Association.

• President-elect — Pat Hord, Bucyrus, Ohio: As CEO of Hord Family Farms, Hord leads a fifth-generation, diversified agricultural operation. In addition to overseeing the growth of the family business, he is a key advocate for U.S. pork producers, shaping policy at the national level through his work with NPPC committees.

• Vice President — Todd Marotz, Sleepy Eye, Minn.: Marotz serves as chief production officer for Wakefield Pork, specializing in genetics, construction management, animal welfare and productivity, and environmental services and permitting. He is a key advocate for U.S. pork producers, helping shape policy at the national level through his work with NPPC committees.

• Immediate Past President — Duane Stateler, McComb, Ohio: A fourth-generation pork producer, Stateler operates Stateler Family Farms alongside his son, Anthony. He is actively involved in national and state-level agricultural policy discussions and serves as a strong voice for producers on sustainability and environmental stewardship.

Newly Elected Members

• Robert “R.O.” Britt, Williamsburg, Va.: Britt manages environmental affairs for Smithfield Hog Production, where he leads a team responsible for environmental regulation, grower partnerships and producer coordination. His service to the pork industry includes over a decade on the Virginia Pork Council Board of Directors, where he served as president in 2024.

• Jay Miller, Carlyle, Ill.: Miller serves as CEO of The Maschhoffs, one of the largest family-owned pork production systems in North America. He brings a deep understanding of swine health, production operations and leadership development forged through decades of veterinary and pork industry experience.

• Joe Popplewell, Perry, Okla.: Popplewell serves in a leadership role with Tyson Foods and holds a master’s degree from Oklahoma State University. A former president of the Oklahoma Pork Council, he has over three decades of hands-on experience in the pork industry and executive leadership.

Allied Industry Council

• Mark Hayden, Moville, Iowa, was elected Allied Industry Council representative. He serves as director of sales for Automated Production. In this role, he oversees business strategy and execution for the sales and technical support teams. Hayden has years of involvement advocating for both producers and allied partners at the state and federal levels.

Current Directors

• Craig Edsill, Packer Processor Industry Council director — Hatfield, Pa.

• John Anderson — Belgrade, Minn.

• Trish Cook — Winthrop, Iowa.

• Jackie Bowman Ponder — Indianapolis.

• Ed Reed — Marcellus, Mich.

• Jeb Stevens — Osgood, Ind.

• Neill Westerbeek — Warsaw, N.C.

Nominating Committee

• Jason Propst, Toledo, Ill., was reelected to a two-year term on the NPPC Nominating Committee. Propst works with Walk & Sons, Inc., a wean-to-finish hog operation. His responsibilities include working with pigs on weekends, loading market hogs and providing hands-on care during key production phases. He has more than two decades of grassroots involvement and industry leadership, including serving in various leadership roles with the Illinois Pork Producers Association.

• Daniel Tubbs, Oakman, Ala., was newly elected NPPC Nominating Committee for a two-year term. A lifelong livestock producer with a strong voice for independent farming, he operates Tubbs Livestock Company, a farrow-to-finish hog farm. His farm also includes cattle, hay and row crop production. He handles both the day-to-day livestock work and broader business decisions, giving him firsthand insight into the realities producers face.