Leadership Bios

2024 Officers

Jennifer Daniels – President

Jennifer Daniels has owned and operated pig nurseries for 22 years. Now she owns Windy Creek Farms, Inc., a 6,400 head nursery contracting with Smithfield. She is currently serving her third year on the Smithfield Grower Council. She also served as a National Pork Producers Council delegate at the National Pork Forum for two years. Jennifer trained and served as a guest speaker for the Pork Industry with Operation Mainstreet. She is a 1988 graduate of Midway High School, a 1992 graduate of University of Mount Olive with a degree in business administration, 2001 graduate of Campbell University with a Masters in Elementary education, 2006 graduate of Campbell University with a degree in school administration. Jennifer has worked with Sampson County Schools for 17 years (2004 Sampson County School Teacher of the Year). In 2018, she was a recipient of the Tobacco Leaders Grower Select Program Award. Jennifer is an active member of Union Grove Baptist Church in Salemburg.

  • Elected president in 2024.
  • Elected vice president in 2023.
  • Elected to the board of directors in 2019.

Jay Archer – Vice President

Jay Archer of Edgecombe County began his career raising hogs more than 25 years ago as part of his family-owned and operated farm in Goldsboro. He graduated from Wayne Community College with a degree in ag business. A short time later, Jay’s career moved him to Indiana where he met his wife Cara. In 2011, Jay and his wife moved back to North Carolina and began cultivating deep roots in both agriculture and family. He has built a reputation in the industry for innovative ideas, being a leader among young farmers with a passion for achieving efficient growth and stability. Both Jay and his wife spend time volunteering in their local community through coaching youth sports programs and participating in the redevelopment efforts of Edgecombe County through the Chamber of Commerce. His hobbies include hunting, fishing, and spending time with his two boys, Quinn and Pierce.

  • Elected vice president in 2024.
  • Re-elected in 2022.
  • Elected to the board of directors in 2019.

Lorenda Overman – Secretary/Treasurer

Lorenda Overman graduated with an associate degree in science from Mount Olive College. Afterwards, she and her husband, Harrell, formed a corporation with his mother and father. Lorenda and Harrell have worked with swine and row crops for 42 years. Their farm is diversified with row crops of corn, soybeans, and sweetpotatoes.  They presently grow finishing hogs for Smithfield Foods and Prestage Farms.  Lorenda’s work with the farm operation is primarily in office operations and management. She is a member of the Women’s Committee for the Wayne County Farm Bureau, a member of the Wayne County Board of Directors, a member and past chair for the NC Farm Bureau State Women’s Leadership Committee, and the Vice Chair of the American Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Committee. Through the Farm Bureau “Ag in the Classroom” program, she helps educate community children about agriculture. Lorenda also serves on the GO Team for the American Farm Bureau, helping keep the elected county officials in touch with the agriculture community. She is a Past Commander of the Goldsboro Sail and Power Squadron, where she has served on the Bridge as an officer for the past 10 years. Lorenda and Harrell are members of Providence Methodist Church. Lorenda enjoys being outside, swimming, boating, fishing, and being with their three children and ten precious grandchildren.

  • Named Secretary/Treasurere in 2023.
  • Served as past president in 2022.
  • Elected president in 2021.
  • Elected vice president in 2020.
  • Appointed to serve in the At Large capacity in 2019; elected to serve on the executive committee.
  • Elected to the board of directors in 2013, reelected in 2016.

Christina Phillips grew up in Wallace and received her B.S. and M.S. in animal science from North Carolina State University. She then obtained her Ph.D. in animal science from the University of Minnesota. Christina was hired by Smithfield Hog Production Division in 2011, and currently holds the position of Director of Production Research. Christina and her husband, Casey, reside in Wallace with their two sons, Will and Walt. Christina enjoys spending time with her boys, taking them fishing, to the beach, and to NCSU sporting events.

  • Served as past president in 2024.
  • Served as president in 2023.
  • Elected as vice president in 2022.
  • Appointed to serve on executive committee
  • Elected to the board of directors in 2017, representing District 4.

District 1

Jordan Carroll

Jordan Carroll is a 24-year-old farmer who grew up on a poultry and beef cattle operation in Richmond County. From the time he was able, he took great interest in agriculture as a whole and has continued with this passion ever since. From 2007 to 2016, he was a part of the Richmond County livestock club, during which time he was given the opportunity to serve as the club’s vice president. During his 4-H years, Jordan competed in livestock shows achieving many goals. At the eager age of 18, he began his own farming operation consisting of beef cattle and hay production. Always having an interest in the hog industry, Jordan had the opportunity to purchase a 5,300-head finishing floor in his hometown in 2020. That year brought on many challenges, but he persevered through them all. Jordan is a 4th generation farmer, but a 1st generation hog farmer. He hopes to pass his passion for hog farming down to generations to come. He enjoys educating others on farming operations and the impact they have on our surrounding areas. Jordan currently serves on the board of directors for the local Richmond County Farm Bureau. He enjoys farming, raising finishing hogs, beef cattle, and hay and forage production.

  • Elected to a 3-year term in 2023.

 

Sarah Johnson

Sarah Johnson was born and raised on a farm in Surry County, in the foothills of North Carolina. She is Operator in Charge and Chief Legal Counsel of Cundiff Creek Farms, LLC. Sarah received her undergraduate degree from Mars Hill University and her juris doctorate from Elon University School of Law. She is a practicing attorney in Mount Airy, specializing in real estate law, estate planning and agricultural law. Sarah is a sixth-generation farmer and is passionate about farming and continuing her family’s legacy. She helped her father, Everett, for many years with NC Pork Council events while he served on the NC Pork Council board of directors. In 2019, she joined the NC Pork Council in Washington D.C. to lobby for the industry during the fall Legislative Action Conference. Currently, she serves on the NC Pork Council awards committee, bylaws committee, and the promotions and outreach committee. Sarah is a member of Richmond Hill Baptist Church, NC Bar Association, Surry County Bar Association, and the NC Farm Bureau. She finds working with pigs very rewarding and loves promoting the pork industry.

  • Elected to a 3-year term in 2022
  • Appointed to the board to fill an empty seat 2021

Hunter Thomas

Hunter Thomas is a grower from Timberlake in Person County. He graduated from NC State University with a bachelor’s degree in agriculture science. After graduation, he returned to his family farm where he works alongside his father, uncle and cousin. Together they raise corn, wheat, soybeans, tobacco, and have an independent 350-sow farrow-to-finish hog operation. Hunter serves on the Person County Ag Advisory Committee and is a board member of the Person County Soil and Water Conservation District.

  • Re-Elected to a 3-year term in 2024.
  • Elected to a 3-year term in 2021.

District 2

Dave Overman

Dave Overman grew up living and working on his family’s multigenerational farm in Goldsboro NC. They raised hogs and farmed around 3,000 acres of row crops. After graduating high school, Dave attended NC State University and received his undergraduate degree in Human Biology, and then went on to earn his master’s degree in Kinesiology and Exercise Physiology from Auburn University. In college and graduate school, he worked as a strength and conditioning coach with his respective school’s athletic departments, and upon graduation from Auburn, he continued that work for various colleges and for the US Military as a civilian contractor. In 2018, Dave decided to transition from that career field and return home to work with his family at Overman Farms. At that time, they operated a 6,500 head feeder to finish operation and a 2,000 head sow farm, both with Goldsboro Milling Company. Since that time, Overman farms has grown and transitioned to now having 27,000 head to wean to finish space with Smithfield Foods and an additional 2,700 head feeder to finish with Prestage Farms.

Dave enjoys working and spending time with his family, exercising and spending time outdoors, and anything that involves spending time with his wife and three daughters.

  • Elected to a 3-year term in 2023.

Jimmy Pollock

Jimmy Pollock has spent much of his time on the family farm. He has always had a strong interest in agriculture and the meat industry. Jimmy attended Jones County schools and furthered his education at NC State University where he received his bachelor’s degree and his master’s degree in animal science. During his career, he has been employed by the NC Department of Agriculture, the Agricultural Extension Service and by private industry. While working with the NC Cooperative Extension Service as a livestock agent, he coached and mentored many young men and women across the state on various livestock judging teams. Jimmy has worked for 34 years with JC Howard Farms as Head of Swine Production and raises pigs across North Carolina and Alabama through his farms W&P Farms and Pollock Family LLC. Upon entering the private swine industry, he became more involved with the NC Pork Council. Over the years, Jimmy has served on numerous committees and served as President of Council in 1993. On the national level, he served as a representative to the National Pork Federation Council and was appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture to the National Pork Board. He has received numerous honors and accolades for his dedication to the pork industry and livestock programs including NC Pork All American, Man of the Year of the Lenoir County Livestock Association, and NC Livestock Advisory Committee. Jimmy is married to Daphne, and they have two daughters and four grandchildren.

  • Elected to a 3-year term in 2024.

Reggie Strickland was born in Sampson County and has been involved with agriculture all his life. He graduated from NC State University with an agribusiness management degree. After graduating, Reggie worked for the Agriculture Business Management Department at NC State seasonally for 10 years. He is a seventh-generation farmer, working with his wife, Laura, and his father, Garrett. Strickland Farming Group grows approximately 3,600 acres of row crops in Sampson, Wayne and Duplin counties. They also raise 21,000 finishing swine for Prestage Farms each year and raise turkeys for Butterball. Reggie has previously served on the NC Pork Council Board and is currently chair of the NC Pork Council public policy committee. Currently, he serves on the United Soybean Board, NC Soybeans Producers Association Board and Executive Committee, Mount Olive Southern States Board, Wayne County Day School Board, NC State Ag Institute Advisory Board and Alumni Committee, and is chair of the NC State Ag Entrepreneurship Program Advisory Council. Reggie and his wife have two children, Savannah and Grayson. He enjoys traveling, attending sporting events, and spending time with family.

  • Elected to a 3-year term in 2021.

Paul Utley was born in Sanford, NC to a real estate family. His father and grandfather were both very active in both commerical and residential real estate, but grew hogs on dirt and dabbled in farming. 

Paul and his wife, Lindsay King Utley, set out to be first-generation farmers. They tend a couple thousand acres of row crops, growing cotton, corn, beans, wheat and produce. They also raise hogs and chickens. They run wean to finish and feeder to finish farms under a Smithfield contract and operate a breeder farm for Sanderson Farms. Residential real estate round out a diversified business.

  • Appointed to serve a 1-year term to fill a vacancy in 2024.

District 3

Joshua Coombs

Josh Coombs was born and raised in Sampson County with his family. His family owned and operated hog farms throughout his childhood. Joshua is a 2003 graduate of Clinton High School. He also graduated from Sampson Community College in 2008. He is currently pursuing his fire science degree through Central Piedmont Community College. Joshua operates and owns Joshua Coombs Farms, LLC which is comprised of twelve 735 finish barns contracting with Prestage Farms. This year, Joshua purchased four 1,600 nursery barns, Coombs Family Farms, that are contracted with Prestage Farms as well. In addition to swine production, he also manages 325 acres of timber. He is also a full-time captain with Clinton Fire Department. Joshua is a Mason through Hiram Lodge #98 as well as a Sudan Shriner in Clinton.  He currently serves on the NC Pork Council outreach committee. He is married to Jessica and they have two sons, Jett and Wyatt. They are also welcoming another baby in January 2020.

  • Elected to the board of directors in 2020 representing District 4 (now District 3).

Reid Cumbo

Reid Cumbo is a first-generation-Sampson-County hog farmer and is the owner and operator of Cumbo Farms, LLC – C&R Finishing, contracting with Smithfield. Following graduation from East Carolina University with a bachelor’s degree in economics, he returned to his hometown of Clinton with a passion to fulfill goals of career, family, and community stewardship. In 2018, he was able to achieve a lifelong goal of raising pigs and currently owns a 2,880 head finishing farm outside of Clinton. He also works full time for Elanco Animal Health where he manages swine accounts throughout North Carolina. In addition to continuously working towards meeting career goals, he enjoys being a husband and dad. Whenever Reid’s not at the farm or with his family, he looks forward to riding horses, playing golf, and hunting.

  • Elected to the board of directors in 2022

Mark Hairr

Mark grew up on a Sampson County farm where they raised pigs, cows and row crops. His family sold out of the pig business in the late 1980s and Mark saved money from summer jobs and bought back in during the summer of 1991. He started with 10 gilts and two boars and expanded to about 80 sows before making the decision to leave the family farm and seek a career with one of the local integrators. After high school, Mark enrolled in the swine management technology program at James Sprunt Community College. He graduated with an associate degree in March 1995 and began his career with Browns of Carolina as a technician on a sow farm in Faison. He has been with the company through several mergers over the past 28 years and has held various positions in the organization. Currently, Mark is Production Director for Smithfield Hog Production and is responsible for approximately 120,000 sows farrow to wean in northeastern North Carolina. He lives on a small farm in Sampson County with his wife and two children where they grow hay, cows, and a small amount of row crops. Mark also serves on the NC Pork Council awards committee.

  • Elected to the board of directors in 2024.

Michael Inman, Sr. – At Large

Michael is a lifelong resident of Tar Heel, NC and attended the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. His farm is a third generation family farm that grows corn, soybeans, wheat, peanuts, and Coastal Bermuda grass. They have a 6,400 head nursery and have been under contract with Smithfield Hog Production Division since 1998. He has been employed with Prestage Farms since November 1991 and is currently a sow service representative. He was the NC Pork All-American in 2006 and currently serves on the Bladen County Livestock Association board of directors. He previously served as the Plain View Primary PTO president for six years. He strongly supports various community activities including:  Dixie Youth Baseball, 4-H, FFA, and Bladen County Ag’Em Up Day. He and his wife, Renee have one son Michael E. Inman II. They attend Singletary United Methodist Church. Michael enjoys fishing, hunting, and attending baseball games.

  • Elected to the board of directors in 2016, representing District 4.
  • Appointed to the board in 2019 in the At Large capacity.

Bill Jordan

Bill is a native of Sampson County and has a family history of farming. His maternal grandfather was a crop and livestock farmer, and his father raised cattle for a number of years. Bill has a strong commitment and work ethic, stemming from working on a hog and cattle operation while attending high school, also while furthering his education at Sampson Community College where he earned a degree in animal science. Bill has worked for Hog Slat, Inc. and TDM Farms for 11 years. Currently, he is a Sow Service Manager for TDM. He has been trained in numerous other areas of the company. In addition to working for Hog Slat and TDM, he is also a contract grower for Butterball with 12 turkey houses. Bill has been a participant in the NC Pork Council Pork Leadership Carolina program. He and his wife Katlyn have two young sons, Henry and Harvey. Bill’s dedication to his career and farming operation is something he would like to pass along to his sons. Bill and his family are members of Grove Park Baptist Church.

  • Elected to the board in 2024 for a 3-year term.
  • Appointed to the board in 2023 to fill a vacancy.

Cliff Kilpatrick

Cliff Kilpatrick was raised on a small swine farm outside Mount Olive and is still involved in the family farm that has now grown to 14,400 finishing spaces on contract with Goldsboro Milling. He has been employed with Cape Fear Farm Credit as a Loan Officer since 2007, where he works closely with farmers in southeastern North Carolina with lending and financial needs. Cliff is passionate about NC hog farming and very active in combatting the challenges hog farmers face every day. Cliff lives in Albertson with his wife, Sabre, and their 3 children, Guy, Patriot and Maggie.

  • Re-Elected to the board in 2021.
  • Elected to the board of directors in 2018.

Zeke Mcullen, IV

Zeke McCullen, IV is a fourth-generation farmer from Clinton who grew up farming with his father and grandfather. He owns/operates McCullen Livestock LLC, which consists of 16 finishing floors and a 700 cow-calf operation. In addition, Zeke grows, harvests and bales hay for his cows and markets any excess hay. He also manages his family’s swine operation that includes 18 finishing floors on contract with Prestage Farms, Inc. Zeke and his wife, Natalie, are parents to two young sons, Hugh and Holt. One of Zeke’s major life goals is working very hard each day with the hope of instilling an appreciation and love of farming in his children.

  • Re-elected to the board in 2024 for a 3-year term.
  • Elected to a 3-year term in 2021. 

    Wesley Mewborn

    Wesley Mewborn is a first-generation farmer from Kenansville. He is the owner of Mewborn Farms, which consists of eight 720s and eight 880s wean to finish, and two 1224s finishing, as well as eighteen broiler chicken houses, four breeder chicken houses, and tending his cow-calf operation. In 2014, Wesley began growing chickens for Case Farms, and in 2019, he started growing hogs for Smithfield. Wesley, and his wife Robin, have 3 children, Layla, Macy, and Case. He is an advocate for pediatric brain cancer research, in memory of his oldest daughter, Layla. Wesley is a 2002 graduate of James Kenan High. He attends Kenansville Baptist Church.

    • Elected to a 3-year term in 2022. 

    Morris Murphy

    Morris Murphy is owner operator of Triple M Family Farms, a 14,000 head finishing farm, in partnership with his brothers. He currently serves on Cape Fear board of directors. He has served on FSA county committee, the board of directors of Albertson VFD, and on the Jones County Cotton Gin board of directors. Morris has participated in the Phillip Morris Leadership Program. He has been an advocate in the recent litigation of hog farms as a private concerned grower. He has been married to his wife Linda for 40 years and she is active in his daily farm activities. They have two children, Jennifer Sumner, who works in HR at Smithfield I Rose Hill and Justin who works on the family farm. Morris attends Friendship FWB Church in Pink Hill.

    • Re-elected to the board of directors in 2022.
    • Elected to the board of directors in 2019.

    Bill Prestage

    Bill works at Prestage Farms, currently as accounting manager for the NC operations. Growing up in his family’s business in Clinton, he started working on a sow farm as a teenager, followed by summer internships in departments throughout the business:  AI Center, loading crews, swine servicing, maintenance and the feed mill. Bill graduated from NC State University in 2020, earning Bachelor of Science degrees in animal science and poultry science with minors in feed milling, nutrition, and ag business. Out of college, he moved to Iowa to work with Prestage Foods of Iowa. At the processing plant, he worked in various departments including operations, shipping, maintenance, human resources, sales and financial analysis. Since returning to Prestage Farms in North Carolina, Bill has worked as a finishing serviceman and sow farm manager before taking on his current accounting role. Earlier this year he participated in the Pork Leadership Institute, the comprehensive training program conducted by NPPC and NPB. In his spare time, Bill enjoys quail and duck hunting, offshore fishing, and weightlifting. 

    • Elected to the board of directors in 2024.

    Jeff Warren

    Jeff Warren is the Owner/Partner in ADJ Farms, Inc., a contract producer for Smithfield Foods with four nurseries and six finishing facilities. He holds the position of General Manager – USA for Vostermans Ventilation Inc., which develops, produces, and distributes axial fans for both agricultural and industrial markets. Jeff is a graduate of Campbell University, Lundy-Fetterman Business School. He has been working in the agricultural industry, professionally, for 37 years. As the agricultural industry is continuously evolving, stressing the importance for education and effective communication, Jeff is an advocate for the pork industry who will strive to connect with and be a voice for producers, professionals, peers, and consumers. Jeff enjoys his time off with family, friends, and occasional golf where he is always sure to be hitting his way out of the hazard areas.

    • Elected to a 3-year term in 2022.

    Industry Representatives 

    Sarah Hough, DVM

    Dr. Sara Hough is a swine technical services veterinarian with DSM Nutritional Products. She joined DSM in August 2019. In her role as regional technical services manager, Sara provides field technical support and assists with research opportunities in swine health and nutrition. Prior to joining DSM, she spent eight years as a swine production veterinarian at Prestage Farms, Inc. where she became familiar with the NC pork industry. Sara earned her doctorate in veterinary medicine at NC State University. She has professional memberships with the American Association of Swine Veterinarians (AASV), North Carolina Veterinary Medical Association (NCVMA) and American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). She also served on the National Pork Board Swine Health Committee for four years. Sara is currently serving as the district director for the southeast region for AASV, and is a member of the External Relations Committee for the NC Agriculture Foundation. She also enjoys serving as an industry volunteer for Operation Main Street, where shares the pork story with groups all over the United States. Sara and her husband, Bryan, share their devotion to NC State with their two boys, Dillon and Davis, who love cheering on the Wolfpack at football games.

    • Re-elected in 2024.
    • Elected to a 3-year term to fill the Allied Industry seat in 2021.

    Tommy Neese – N.C. Meat Processors

    Tommy Neese is vice president of Neese Sausage Company, a family-owned company in Greensboro. He also serves as vice president of the NC Meat Processors Association. Tommy stays active in the community, especially with Boy Scouts. He attended Elon College. In addition to serving on the NC Pork Council’s board, Tommy is a member of the Council’s annual conference committee, budget committee, fundraising committee, and political action committee.

    National Representatives

    Bob Ivey

    Bob Ivey is owner of Ivey Spring Creek Farms and Ivey Agribusiness Consulting Company. He was previously president of Maxwell Foods LLC.

     

    • Bob was elected to the National Pork Producers Council Board of Directors in 2019.

    Denise Waller Mason – National Pork Board

    Denise Mason is a third-generation pork producer and the owner of Goshen Farms, a 2,400-sow farrow-to-wean farm in North Carolina.

    Before moving back to the farm full time, Denise worked for Maxwell Foods for more than 25 years. She was trained in most areas of production, and her positions included boar stud manager, AI division director and as training and development coordinator.

    • Denise was elected to the National Pork Board in 2021. 

    Santiango Vasquez

    Santiago Vasquez is a manager for Southern Cross Farms Inc. of Rose Hill, North Carolina. He has ownership of two 3,600-head sow farms and an 18,000 wean-to-finish site. He also owns and operates three chicken broiler farms, one layer farm and has a 200-head cow/calf herd, along with farming 500 acres of pasture. In the industry, Santiago has been involved with North Carolina Pork Council and is a past Pork Leadership Institute member.

    • Santiago was elected to the National Pork Board in 2023.

    Neill Westerbeek

     

    • Santiago was elected to the National Pork Producers Council Board in 2024.

    Ex Officio

    Dr. Antoine Alston — College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, NC A&T State

    Dr. Antoine Alston, a native of Rocky Mount, NC, is professor and associate dean for academic studies in North Carolina A&T State University’s College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, is a nationally recognized student mentor, agricultural educator, and expert in the areas of diversity and inclusion. He received his Bachelor and Master of Science Degrees in Agricultural and Extension Education from NC A&T State University, and Ph.D. in Agricultural and Extension Education from Iowa State University in 2000 at the age of 24.

    Alston’s dedication to student success is well known. His work has earned him many honors such as the UNC Board of Governors Award for Teaching Excellence, Honorary FFA American Degree, the National Association of Agricultural Educators Outstanding Contribution to Agricultural Education Award, George Washington Carver Distinguished Service Award from Iowa State University, and the North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture Teacher Fellow Award. Additionally, he was the first African-American to receive a U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Agriculture Sciences Excellence in Teaching Award.

     

     

    Dr. Megan Jacobs  — College of Veterinary Medicine, NC State University

    Dr. Megan Jacob is a Professor of Veterinary Microbiology and Director of College Support and External Relations at the NC State College of Veterinary Medicine. She came to Raleigh after completing her undergraduate education in microbiology at the University of Wyoming and her MS and Ph.D. work in veterinary pathobiology at Kansas State University. Her graduate work focused on understanding the ecology and epidemiology of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli in feedlot cattle. She is currently engaged with projects to expand veterinary diagnostic opportunities and surveillance systems throughout the US and globally. Her research interests are in bacterial pathogen transmission in livestock settings, including agritourism. Megan and her husband Paul, have three children and a small farm in eastern Wake Country where they raise sheep and cattle.

    Dr. Steve Lommel — College of Agriculture & Life Sciences, NC State University

     teven A. Lommel is a William Neal Reynolds Distinguished Professor of Plant Pathology. He is the Director of the North Carolina Agricultural Research Service and Associate Dean for Research in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, North Carolina State University. He has been instrumental in the development of the Plant Sciences Initiative, which is a multidisciplinary enterprise and building partnering with government agencies and the private sector to address the large problems in plant and agricultural research. His teaching responsibilities included graduate courses in Plant Pathology and Plant Virology as well as invited lectures in Biotechnology and Genetics. Dr. Lommel was the editor of the journal “Virology” from 2007-2022 and is on the editorial board for four other scientific journals. He has published more than 100 peer-reviewed journal articles, book chapters, reviews, and proceedings. He is a Fellow of the American Phytopathological Society and the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

    Dr. Lommel obtained his bachelor’s degree in Biology at the University of San Francisco in 1978 and his doctoral degree at the University of California, Berkeley in 1983. He was an Assistant Professor at  Kansas State University. Dr. Lommel joined the faculty at NCSU in 1988 and has risen through the ranks. He held a number of research administration positions at both the College and University level since 1992. Dr. Lommel was a special scientific advisor to the US EPA on the release of transgenic crops. He administrates North Carolina State University’s presence at the North Carolina Research Campus in Kannapolis. He is on the Board of Directors for the David H. Murdock Research Institute and was the President of the Institute. He also serves on numerous University, State, Federal, and international scientific boards, committees, and funding panels.

    Ashley Thomas — NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services

    Ashley Thomas is a Marketing Specialist III for the N.C. Department of Agriculture where she represents pork, poultry, egg, meat processors, soybeans, and corn. In her role, she works with N.C. farmers who raise those commodities, the commodity trade associations, and industry affiliates. 

    Ashley was raised on her family’s farm in Timberlake, N.C. where they grow tobacco, soybeans, corn, and wheat and operate an independent farrow to finish hog operation. A 2015 graduate from Meredith College, she earned a B.S. in business administration and a B.A. in biology. Her years on the farm taught Ashley a true appreciation of agriculture, farmers and what they do. She believes there are multiple ways to serve the agriculture community and through her different roles, she has strived to serve North Carolina’s farmers so that their voices may be heard.  

    Dr. Todd See — College of Agriculture & Life Sciences, NC State University

    Dr. Todd See is the Head of the Department of Animal Science at NC State University. He provides administrative leadership for 40 faculty and extension professionals and over 1000 students enrolled in Animal Science undergraduate and graduate programs. He coordinates research functions in genetics, nutrition, and physiology and extension programs in swine, beef cattle, dairy cattle, small ruminants, and equine. Dr. See conducts internationally recognized programs in swine genetics and management. He has given over 125 invited presentations on swine around the world and published 79 peer-reviewed publications and 500 articles and other publications. Todd was named Outstanding Young AnimalScientistSouthern Section in 2004 and Fellow in 2022 by the American Society of Animal Science. He received the Lois G. Britt Service to the NC Pork Industry award in 2006, the Outstanding ExtensionService Award from NCSU in 2009, and the Extension Award from the Southern Section of the American Society of Animal Science in 2010. He has been the recipient of the National Pork Board Swine Industry Award for Innovation four times (1995, 1997, 2003, and 2010).In addition to serving on the NC PorkCouncil’s board, Todd is chairman of the annual conference committee and research committee.

    Committed to People, Pigs, & the Planet