New USMEF chair champions market intelligence

13/11/2014
New USMEF chair champions market intelligence
The US Meat Export Federation (USMEF) has elected new officers including Leann Saunders as chair. Ms Saunders developed the first USDA Process Verified Programme for beef and has worked as a purchasing specialist for McDonald’s and Hudson Foods.

She is co-founder of Where Food Comes From, a certification company, is actively involved in her family’s ranching and stocker operations and is part owner of the Mayfield Heritage Cattle Company in New Mexico.

She said the aspect of the organisation she values most is its ability to provide companies with market intelligence.

Roel Andriessen of Dakota Dunes, South Dakota, is the new USMEF chair-elect. He is the senior vice-president responsible for Tyson Fresh Meats’ international sales.

Vice-chair Bruce Schmoll is a soybean and corn producer from Claremont, Minnesota. He has represented the oilseeds producing sector on the USMEF Executive Committee and is a past president of the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association.

The newest member of the USMEF officer team is Dennis Stiffler, who will serve as secretary-treasurer and represents the lamb sector as chief executive of Mountain States Rosen.

Image, l to r: Dennis Stiffler, Bruce Schmoll, Roel Andriessen and Leann Saunders