USMEF elects new officer team, recognizes outstanding members
The U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) concluded its annual strategic planning conference in Tucson, Ariz. on Nov. 8 with the election of officers for 2024-25.
Leadership selected
Steve Hanson, a rancher and cattle feeder from Elsie, Neb., is the new USMEF chair, succeeding Minnesota Pork and Grain Producer Randy Spronk.
Hanson has previously held many beef industry leadership roles, including chair of the Nebraska Beef Council and Federation of State Beef Councils and president of the Nebraska Cattlemen. He also served on the Beef Promotion Operating Committee, where he came to appreciate the importance of international marketing programs for U.S. red meat.
“The operating committee is where I first got my exposure to USMEF, which invests our checkoff dollars so well and adds value to the beef carcass,” Hanson said.
Hanson also praised USMEF for bringing together a wide range of agricultural sectors to support a common goal – something he said was fully on display in Tucson, Ariz.
“This is one of the best things about USMEF conferences – the idea I can attend the Pork Committee and Exporter Committee meetings to broaden my perspective,” he said. “Yesterday, I sat in on the Exporter Committee meeting so I could learn more about the challenges they face moving product overseas. Those guys have some real hurdles, and this meeting gave me a much greater appreciation for what they do.”
Hanson added industry unity is also critical when countering efforts to shut down animal agriculture. He cited a Denver ballot initiative which sought to ban slaughterhouses as a prime example.
“Fortunately, this measure was defeated by nearly a two-to-one margin, and we are very proud of the fact,” he said. “But there are more cities on these activists’ lists, and we need to be paying attention.”
USMEF’s new chair-elect is Jay Theiler, executive vice president of corporate affairs for Agri Beef Co., a diversified business with operations in ranching, cattle feeding, cattle nutrition and beef processing. He is a past director of the Idaho Beef Council and has served on the Beef Industry Long Range Plan Task Force.
USMEF Vice Chair Dave Bruntz is president of Bruntz Farming and Feeding in southeastern Nebraska, where he raises corn and soybeans and feeds cattle.
Bruntz is a past president of the Nebraska Corn Board and Nebraska Cattlemen. He also served as a regional vice president for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association.
The newest USMEF officer is Secretary-Treasurer Darin Parker, director of Salt Lake City-based exporter and distributor PMI Foods.
Members honored
On Nov. 7, USMEF hosted its annual awards luncheon where Nick Giordano, former lead lobbyist with the National Pork Producers Council, was honored with the Michael J. Mansfield Award.
USMEF established this award in recognition of the U.S. Senate majority leader and ambassador to Japan whose five decades of government service advanced U.S. trade relations throughout the world.
Mark Jagels, a corn and livestock producer from Davenport, Neb. and former USMEF chair, received USMEF’s Distinguished Service Award.
This award honors outstanding figures in the red meat industry who exemplify the exceptional, individual dedication responsible for the federation’s success.
USMEF also honored the Montana Beef Council with its Million Dollar Club Award.
This award recognizes USMEF member organizations which have contributed more than $1 million in support of USMEF’s marketing programs.
Montana Beef Council is a longtime partner of USMEF, making its initial contribution in 1984.
USMEF members will next meet at the organization’s Spring Conference on May 21-23, 2025 in Fort Worth, Texas.
USMEF collects and analyzes market intelligence, implements promotional programs and collaborates with industry stakeholders and governmental agencies to increase U.S. red meat exports. This article was originally published on Nov. 8.
