Names in the News
New hires, promotions, retirements
Strobel to serve as global market advisor for Jyga Technologies
Jyga Technologies, a global leader in smart swine feeding systems, is pleased to announce the appointment of Brian Strobel as global market advisor, effective immediately.
In this new role, Strobel will be joining Jyga’s global sales team and will be taking the lead on ensuring the firm's efforts in developing and opening new markets, are aligned with its global strategy. Strobel will ensure consistent excellence and shared expertise across all territories, as well as bringing his known expertise on GESTAL feeding systems, ROBUST farm equipment, and VISION software to Jyga's teams across the globe.
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CWT Farms adds operations manager
CWT Farms International, a global leader in broiler hatching egg production, announced the addition of Levi Samples as operations manager.
In this role, Samples will lead warehouse operations at CWT’s Georgia facility, with oversight of the Kentucky warehouse beginning May 1. He will also play a vital role in supporting the company’s Watertown hatchery by developing set plans and hatch prediction models to enhance forecasting accuracy and operational efficiency.Read more
ImmuCell expands First Defense team
ImmuCell Corp. announced that Dennis Miguel and Tim Winter have joined the First Defense commercial team. As a sales and marketing manager, Miguel is responsible for the California Plus region, which includes California, Arizona and Nevada. Winter will cover the nine-state Southern region as sales and marketing manager, in addition to taking on a new role as national account lead coordinating national accounts strategy.
Miguel will be responsible for building relationships and expanding the company’s sales in the California Plus region.
Vita Plus names forage and nutrition sales consultant
Dr. Cole Diepersloot recently joined the Vita Plus team as a forage and dairy nutrition sales consultant. Diepersloot will work with the Vita Plus dairy and forage teams to serve customers in the Michigan, Indiana and Ohio market area. In this role, Diepersloot will work with dairy producers to improve forage and nutritional programs through his expertise, services and products.
Diepersloot attended the University of Florida, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in animal sciences.Read more
Wilcock joins Feedworks as monogastric business director
Feedworks USA Ltd. announced that Pete Wilcock has joined the team as monogastric business director, supporting the company’s growth in swine and poultry markets in North America and LATAM (Latin America).
Wilcock brings more than two decades of experience in global monogastric research and nutrition, expanding the Feedworks USA team of recognized industry experts and its ability to serve customers and suppliers.Read more
Will Mabee has been named a CTB vice president and general manager for PigTek. In his new position, Mabee will oversee all aspects of CTB’s PigTek business unit and be responsible for continuing the growth of PigTek products both domestically and in select global markets.CTB Inc. also announced that Greg Myers has been named a CTB vice president and general manager for Brock Grain Systems. In his new role, Myers will be responsible for leading and providing strategic direction for Brock Grain Systems.Read more
The American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) is committed to its mission of being the voice of the U.S. animal food industry, influencing policy and connecting people, according to a news release. Given the evolving needs of its 650 feed and pet food industry members, along with projected growth within the organization’s many leading educational programs, networking events and requests for expert analysis, AFIA is embarking on an organizational realignment. The restructuring will enhance the impact, operational efficiency and stakeholder engagement of the association.The realignment will create three AFIA departments for policy, member experience and operations and strengthen the Institute for Feed Education & Research’s (IFEEDER) ability to advance animal food industry research and education needs.With these restructuring changes comes the promotion of AFIA staff members Leah Wilkinson and Victoria Broehm. Wilkinson, who has been with the association since 2010, will lead the policy department, assuming the title of chief policy officer. Broehm, who has been with the association since 2017, has been promoted to vice president of member experience and will lead the member experience department. Sarah Novak, chief operating officer who has been with the association since 2007, will lead the operations department.Read more
Elanco appoints VanHimbergen as CFO
Elanco Animal Health Inc. announced the appointment of Robert VanHimbergen as executive vice president and chief financial officer, effective July 7, 2025. His appointment follows an extensive and competitive search as part of the company’s commitment to long-term, sustained value creation. VanHimbergen succeeds Todd Young, who will remain with the company as an advisor through Aug. 31, 2025, to facilitate a smooth transition.
VanHimbergen currently serves as senior vice president and chief financial officer of Hillenbrand Inc., where he contributed to the company’s transformation into a pure-play industrial company.