USPOULTRY Announces Staff Promotions

U.S. Poultry & Egg Association (USPOULTRY) announces the promotion of Matt Spencer to vice president, HR & safety programs, and Kris Early to director, communications.

Spencer joined USPOULTRY in 2017 as director, HR & safety programs, where he was responsible for the strategic management of certain USPOULTRY technical services provided to, or on behalf of, Association members, including worker safety, human resources and employment law programs. In his new role, Spencer’s duties will be expanded to serve as the contact for procurement of employee benefit programs in addition to being responsible for the Association’s property and casualty...

Researcher Assesses the Use of Metals on the Resistance and Virulence of Avian Pathogenic E. coli 

USPOULTRY and the USPOULTRY Foundation announce the completion of a funded research project at the University of Georgia in which a researcher assessed the use of metals on the resistance and virulence of avian pathogenic E. coli (APEC). The research was made possible in part by an endowing Foundation gift from Mar-Jac Poultry and proceeds from the International Poultry Expo, part of the International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE). The research is part of the Association’s comprehensive research program encompassing all phases of poultry...

Morris to Lead USPoultry

Nath Morris has been named the next president of U.S. Poultry & Egg Association (USPOULTRY) by the board of directors. He will succeed John Starkey, who will retire in August. Starkey will remain as advisor through the end of the year.

Morris has been serving as executive vice president - expo at USPOULTRY. He managed the International Poultry Expo (IPE), part of the International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE), and recognized by Trade Show Executive magazine as the 22nd largest U.S. trade show. He has been on the USPOULTRY staff since 2014.

Growing up in a poultry family in...

USPOULTRY Publishes Resource on Accident Prevention and Response for Cryogenic Chemicals

Cryogenic chemicals, such as liquid nitrogen, liquid carbon dioxide (CO2), and solid CO2 (dry ice), are often used in food processing. This includes grinding, mixing, coating, freezing and packaging foods. Food processors use these liquids to produce a variety of foods, including meat, poultry, baked goods and prepackaged meals.

To assist member companies in preparing staff to work with these chemical systems, a resource has been developed by USPOULTRY in concert with safety professionals. The resource is a collaboration of USPOULTRY and the National Association...

USPOULTRY Presidential Search Committee Formed

A search committee has been formed to start the process of finding a replacement for John Starkey, retiring president of the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association (USPOULTRY). The search committee consists of the USPOULTRY Executive Committee, which includes Jarod Morrison, chief financial officer for Farbest Foods and USPOULTRY chairman; Mikell Fries, president for Claxton Poultry Farms and USPOULTRY vice chairman; Jonathan Cade, president for Hy-Line International and USPOULTRY treasurer; and Bill Griffith, chief operations officer for Peco Foods and USPOULTRY secretary. Mike Levengood, vice president, Chief Animal Care Officer...

Morrison Named New U.S. Poultry & Egg Association Chairman

Jarod Morrison, Farbest Foods, Huntingburg, Indiana, was elected chairman of the board of directors of U.S. Poultry & Egg Association (USPOULTRY). The board meeting was held during the International Poultry Expo, part of the 2023 International Production & Processing Expo. Morrison previously served as vice chairman.

Morrison received his BS in Finance from the University of Southern Indiana and his MBA from Purdue University. Before joining Farbest Foods, he was senior director of finance and accounting with Masterbrand Cabinets and finance manager with GE Plastics...

USPOULTRY President John Starkey Announces Retirement

John Starkey has announced his upcoming retirement as president of U.S. Poultry & Egg Association (USPOULTRY). A search committee for his replacement will be formed at the January USPOULTRY board meeting, and a selection process and timeline will be established. Once a successor is in place, Starkey will remain available in an advisory role for the remainder of 2023.

Starkey has been president of USPOULTRY since August 2007 when he succeeded retiring president, Don Dalton. He began his professional career as an environmental engineer for Gold Kist in Atlanta in 1982 after completing his...