Names in the News
New hires, promotions, retirements
Specialty Sales names Matthew Nelson as CEO
Specialty Sales LLC (d.b.a. Hoofstrong), the leading provider of hoof health solutions to the U.S. dairy industry, has announced the appointment of Matthew Nelson as chief executive officer. Nelson is a veteran executive with over 20 years of animal health and dairy management experience. Most recently, he served as commercial head of Animal Health and Nutrition at Balchem Corporation, where he meaningfully grew the business through distribution expansion and acquisitions. Don Alsup, co-founder and former CEO, has been named chairman of the board.
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Millard named Loyal Ingredients general manager
Dustin Millard recently joined Vita Plus as the general manager of Loyal Ingredients LLC in Loyal, Wis. He will be providing leadership of the commodities brokerage team in all capacities and focus on serving customers through merchandising plans, market analysis and on-site discussions with customers.
Millard has 17 years of management experience in the feed and grain industry, including serving as a regional operations manager.Read more
Becton named next SHIC associate director
The Swine Health Information Center Board of Directors has selected Lisa Becton, DVM, MS, DACVPM as the organization’s next associate director. Becton will begin her tenure with SHIC in January 2024. Most recently, Becton served as the National Pork Board’s director of swine health.
“I see this as a great opportunity to continue to serve pork producers in a little different role than in the past,” she remarked. “I really have enjoyed working with SHIC over the years in my position with Pork Board and am excited to accept this new opportunity to be a part of SHIC helping producers identify and manage emerging swine diseases.”Read more
Jeff Edwards named agriculture dean at University of Arkansas
Jeff Edwards has been named dean of the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences and senior associate vice president for academic programs of the Division of Agriculture, effective Jan. 1, 2024, in a joint appointment by University of Arkansas (U of A) Provost Terry Martin and U of A System Vice President for Agriculture Deacue Fields.
Edwards will succeed interim Dean Jean-Francois Meullenet. In January, Meullenet will return to his role as senior associate vice president for agriculture research and director of the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station for the U of A System Division of Agriculture.
Vermeer welcomes new managing director of forage solutions
Vermeer Corporation has named Shane Rourke as the new managing director of forage solutions, the company’s business segment that produces Vermeer agricultural equipment. In this position, Rourke is responsible for the overall leadership and strategic direction of Vermeer products and services for the agricultural market, including balers, bale processors, bale wrappers, mowers, rakes, tedders and vertical mixers. From the industry’s first wagon hoist to pioneering the round baler, Vermeer agricultural inventions have helped farmers get work done quickly and efficiently for 75 years. Read more
Alltech announces global marketing team appointments
Alltech is enhancing its marketing capabilities and establishing new teams to deliver greater strategic partnership across the business for Alltech’s customers.
“We are capitalizing on the geographical and value chain differentiators of our global marketing structure, providing more pathways for our field-based team members to bring the voice of the customer back into the business,” said Susanna Elliott, chief marketing and communications officer at Alltech. “Our globally connected yet locally focused marketing strategy is aligning to deliver more relevance – and competitive edge – to our customers.”
