Cooper new US Poultry & Egg Association Chairman

Gary Cooper, Cooper Farms, Oakwood, OH, was elected chairman of the board of directors of US Poultry& Egg Association (USPOULTRY) at their meeting during the 2011 International Poultry Expo.

He previously served as vice chairman. Cooper was presented with the time-honored “working man’s gavel” by 2010 chairman, Steve Willardsen.

Cooper began his career more than 30 years ago at Cooper Farms, which produces turkeys and turkey products, eggs, and pork. In the third generation at the family-owned operation, he serves as vice president and chief operating officer. Cooper is a past president of the Ohio Poultry Association and is a member of the Midwest Poultry Consortium board. He has served on the USPOULTRY board of directors since 2003.

Vice Chairman
Mark Waller, Ingram Farms, Cullman, AL, was elected vice chairman. He received his BS degree in poultry science at Mississippi State University. Prior to joining Ingram in 1998, he was with Tyson Foods for 19 years, serving as plant manager and complex manager. Waller is now sales and processing director for Ingram Farms. He is a past president of the Alabama Poultry & Egg Association.

Treasurer
James Adams, Wenger’s Feed Mill, Rheems, PA is the new treasurer. A native of Pennsylvania, he received his BS in poultry technology and management and a Masters in Business Administration, both from Penn State University. Adams joined Wenger Feeds in 1980 and has worked in a variety of responsibilities in egg production, feed manufacturing, transportation, purchasing, and sales and marketing. He is currently president and CEO of Wenger Feeds.

Secretary
Elton Maddox, Wayne Farms, Oakwood, GA, was named secretary. A native of Georgia, he received his BS in engineering from the University of Georgia. Maddox joined Wayne Farms in 1974 and has worked in a number of management positions within the company. He is currently president and CEO of Wayne Farms. In addition, he is a past president of the Georgia Poultry Federation and the Georgia Poultry Processors Federation and past chairman of the Georgia Improvement Association and National Chicken Council.

Immediate Past Chairman
Steve Willardsen, Cargill Value Added Meats, Wichita, KS, is immediate past chairman. A graduate of Utah State University with a degree in agribusiness, he has been in the poultry industry for more than 27 years. He started with Norbest, spent several years at Land O’Lakes as complex manager, and at Cargill as complex general manager. In addition, he was chief operating officer for Rocco in Virginia. Willardsen is now president of Cargill Value Added Meats, Wichita, KS.