People: National Turkey Federation elects news chairman

In the US, the National Turkey Federation’s (NTF) Board of Directors has elected Steve Willardsen to serve as the federation’s 2012 chairman. Willardsen is president of Cargill Value Added Meats Retail in Wichita, Kansas.

“It makes me proud to be part of an industry that pulls together and works in unison to manage challenges,” Willardsen said during his acceptance speech. “It will be an honour to lead an organisation that is so effective in successfully resolving challenges by turning them into opportunities.”

Willardsen mentioned issues such as food safety practices, renewable fuels, the environment and animal care practices as areas NTF and its members will address in the year ahead. Willardsen noted that a key in managing challenges is NTF’s ability to maintain a progressive, innovative outlook when problems arise.

Near the conclusion of his acceptance speech, Willardsen spoke about the future of the turkey industry by saying, “The industry will only get better as we manage challenges and work to balance them with proactive opportunities.”

During Saturday’s meeting at NTF’s Annual Convention, the Board of Directors also elected John Burkel, director, Northern Pride, Inc., as vice chairman; and Gary Cooper, vice president and chief operating officer, Cooper Farms, as secretary-treasurer. Richard Huisinga, executive vice president of Willmar Poultry Company, assumes the position of immediate past chairman.

Source: National Turkey Federation