Bill Even, CEO of the National Pork Board, is stepping down from his role as the leader of the producer-led and consumer-focused national Pork Checkoff organization.
His last day with the organization will be Thursday, May 1. The National Pork Board’s Board of Directors has appointed Alex Wibholm, senior vice president of operations, to serve as interim effective May 1. A national search for the next CEO of the Pork Checkoff is underway.
Even plans to return to his family’s South Dakota farming operation, where he and his wife Janell will be closer to their extended families and five grandchildren and reengage with their family business, he said in a release.
“I am grateful to the many NPB board members, staff and producer leaders who I’ve had the privilege of serving alongside,” Even said. “Every good farm operation plans for the next generation by building a strong team guided by a clear vision and by respecting those whose shoulders we stand on now. Many good stewards of the pork industry paved the way forward for decades before I joined NPB, and many more will come after me.”
In June 2016, Even began his term as CEO. Since then, he has led the effort to reinvigorate the organization and ensure its relevance and effectiveness for the nation’s more than 60,000 pork producers, the National Pork Board said in a release.
A Champion for Producers
At the recent National Pork Industry Forum, Even encouraged producers to show up and help drive the decisions for the U.S. pork industry.
“We want people to know they can affect change when they show up and participate – decisions get made by the people that go to the meetings,” Even said.
He also noted that one of the things he values most about the pork industry is the collaborative mindset amongst the National Pork Board’s and NPPC’s boards of directors.
“It’s never been more important or timely to foster and strengthen relationships and collaboration among state and national organizations in animal agriculture,” Even said. “At the end of the day, we are here to work on the issues that are top of mind for and impact producers.”
Al Wulfekuhle, National Pork Board president and Iowa pig farmer, said Even’s care for the people he serves and his adapatability and steadfastness in uncertain times has been noticed.
“The Board and I deeply appreciate everything Bill has done during his nine years of leadership toward long-term success for the pork industry. Thanks to Bill’s dedication, good governance, principled stewardship and high-integrity strategic leadership, NPB is in an excellent position to transition smoothly to a new executive leader,” Wulfekuhle says.
Even’s leadership was critical to the industry’s rapid and coordinated response to the COVID-19 pandemic, from addressing producers’ day-to-day needs and challenges to navigating ongoing supply chain uncertainty, the organization said. He worked with the board of directors, staff, allied industry and producer leaders to advance the National Pork Board in multiple ways, including building an integrated marketing team and internal business intelligence competency; collaborating across the industry on foreign animal disease priorities; launching the pork traceability platform AgView; strengthening relationships with the industry’s 42 state pork associations; and establishing measurable goals for the industry’s We Care Ethical Principles, which provide proof of pork producers’ on-farm stewardship impact.
“Bill has surrounded himself with a talented and passionate team,” Wulfekuhle said. “As a board, we have confidence in NPB staff continuing the great work that he started. There is so much to be optimistic about when it comes to the future of the U.S. pork industry – the Pork Checkoff celebrates its 40th anniversary later this year, we are launching a bold new consumer marketing campaign next month, and in March, the Board approved a new three-year strategic plan for NPB. We move forward with confidence and pride in representing pork producers.”
Alex Wibholm Takes on Interim Role
Wibholm joined the National Pork Board in April 2018 as the director of project strategy. He moved into the roles of assistant vice president of project strategy, vice president of project strategy and IT, and is currently serving as senior vice president of operations.
Prior to coming to the National Pork Board, he held multiple roles with DuPont Pioneer/Corteva, serving as a project manager in North American Integrated Operations, a finance manager in Finance and a senior analyst in Stewardship & Compliance. He also worked for two other agricultural focused companies - Monsanto & LGI Environmental Testing - as well as a mid-sized Iowa based bank - First State Bank.
Wilbholm is a graduate of Iowa State University with a bachelor’s degree in agricultural business and economics and a minor in agronomy.
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