Board and Staff

Andrew Bailey

As Science & Technology Counsel, Bailey will partner with the Vice President of Global Government Affairs to manage advocacy of NPPC science and technology policies.  These policies include, but are not limited to, animal welfare, animal heath, and food safety. The Science & Technology Counsel works closely and collaboratively with NPPC’s Chief Veterinarian and the Vice President of Industry Relations, based in Des Moines, Iowa.

Trachelle Carr

The International Technical Services Specialist assists the NPPC Director of International Affairs, Maria Zieba, with sanitary & phytosanitary (SPS) barriers to trade. Additionally, she works on market access issues that face the U.S. pork industry from an international trade perspective.

Andrew Fisher

As Manager of Congressional Relations, Fisher tracks legislative activity, carries out daily organization of NPPC’s Political Action Committee— PorkPAC— and supports the Vice President & Counsel, Global Government Affairs in government relations activity.

Michael Formica

In his capacity as Assistant Vice President, Domestic Policy & Counsel, Michael Formica works with federal agencies, the White House and congressional lawmakers on regulatory and legal issues impacting pork and livestock producers.

Rachel Gantz

As the Director of Communications, Gantz is responsible for developing NPPC’s communications strategies and disseminating news on the organization’s public-policy program.

Nick Giordano

Nick Giordano is Vice President and Counsel, Global Government Affairs. He leads NPPC’s DC office and is involved in all aspects of policy issues as they impact the interests of U.S. pork producers. Those issues include, but are not limited to, agriculture; economic; energy; environment; food; immigration; production; science & technology, tax, and trade

Dan Kovich

As the Director of Science & Technology, Kovich assists NPPC Chief Veterinarian Liz Wagstrom on domestic and international animal health and welfare matters, with a focus on animal welfare and food safety issues.

Jim Monroe

As Assistant Vice President, Communications, Jim Monroe has overall responsibility for NPPC communications strategy, planning and execution. He oversees external communications, including media relations and digital communications, and supports NPPC’s public policy, industry relations and resource development teams.

Liz Wagstrom

In her capacity as chief veterinarian, Dr. Liz Wagstrom works on domestic and international animal health and welfare matters and on farm production, public health and food-safety issues.

Maria Zieba

As the Director of International Affairs, Zieba supports NPPC Vice President and Counsel for Global Government Affairs Nick Giordano regarding international policy and NPPC’s trade policy program which focuses on opening, maintaining and increasing market access for U.S. pork.

Tyler Bettin

The Director of Producer Services’ primary focus will be working with state pork organizations on the retention, recruitment and building of relationships with our producers investing in NPPC’s Strategic Investment Program (SIP). The position plays a large role with SIP investor awareness of NPPC and state organization programs and policies.

Craig Boelling

Craig Boelling is the NPPC Vice President of Resource Development. In this position he is responsible for key resource development areas of NPPC which include the Strategic Investment Program, Allied Industry/Alliance and World Pork Expo.

Chloe Carson

As digital communications manager, Chloe’s principle focus is developing and executing integrated digital communications campaigns that engage and influence key stakeholders across a range of issues, including international trade, regulatory, science and technology, and pork production practices. She manages all NPPC social media platforms and the council’s web site, including the maintenance of a content calendar for these properties. Chloe also manages development and distribution of our daily and weekly news updates for NPPC members and contributes to our traditional media relations efforts and provides graphic design support.

Rebecca Casey

The Director of Industry Resource Development works primarily with NPPC’s Pork Alliance program through membership recruitment, retention and sales. This position is also a key member of the World Pork Expo team as they sell sponsorships, raise Pork PAC funds through events and auctions, and work on new business development opportunities for NPPC.

Neil Dierks

Neil Dierks is Chief Executive Officer of the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC). In this position, he is responsible for the overall implementation of all NPPC programs. Dierks’ position requires him to spend time in both Des Moines, Iowa, the national office of NPPC, and in Washington, D.C.

Doug Fricke

Doug Fricke serves as Director of Trade Show Marketing for the National Pork Producers Council’s World Pork Expo and the Iowa Pork Congress. In this joint position, he focuses on developing relationships with exhibiting companies (booth sales) and attendees to ensure that these events continue to offer a valuable service.

Dallas Hockman

Dallas Hockman has more than 25 years of experience in agricultural marketing. Dallas has an extensive background in the area of sales, sales management, product development, brand management, business start-up, and event marketing. Dallas has traveled extensively internationally, involved in new business start-up, consulting, oversight of business units, and presenting at numerous marketing conferences around the world. Dallas Hockman is the Vice President of Industry Relations for the National Pork Producers Council. In his current role Dallas is responsible for enhancing relationships with the industry sectors from pork producers all the way to the consumers. Prior to becoming a part of the National Pork Producers Council staff  in 2006, Dallas was Vice President of Demand Enhancement for the National Pork Board, responsible for the National Pork Board’s product marketing programs worldwide. His responsibilities included oversight of retail marketing, foodservice marketing, packer/processor relations, marketing communications, advertising, public relations, and international trade. Prior to joining National Pork Board, Dallas was Swine Business Development Manager for Cargill’s Animal Nutrition Division. At Cargill, Hockman directed domestic and international swine business marketing. Prior to that, he worked 11 years for Purina Mills, Inc. in a variety of marketing and management positions. A native of Missouri, Hockman earned both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in animal science from the University of Missouri.

Pete Houska

As Regional Director of Producer Services for the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) Peter Houska is directly involved with U.S. pork producers in an effort to increase awareness of NPPC Programs and participation in the Strategic Investment Program primarily in Iowa. Peter also represents NPPC at various producer functions.

Cody McKinley

As Assistant Vice President of State and National Relations for NPPC, McKinley is the primary point of contact for state pork organizations with NPPC. McKinley will assist and support program staff at the state and national level in conducting work on behalf of pork producers and the U.S. pork industry, facilitate state-oriented planning/programming and staff NPPC’s organizational development activities.

Brad Schmidt

As Regional Director of Producer Services for the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC), Brad is directly involved with U.S. pork producers in an effort to increase awareness of NPPC Programs and participation in the Strategic Investment Program primarily in Iowa. Peter also represents NPPC at various producer functions.

Greg Thornton

In Resource Development Projects Greg will work with our SIP investors, collecting SIP markets, and other duties. At World Pork Expo, Greg will be managing the execution of offsite activities (Ag Tours, WPO Clay Target Championship & WPO Golf Tournament).

Janine Van Vark

As the Director of Outreach Marketing Janine VanVark is responsible for coordination of and assisting in the delivery of pork industry messages and successes of NPPC activities to NPPC investors; State Associations, Producers, Alliance, Packer Processors, and critical food chain audiences.