After leading the National Pork Board as senior vice president of market growth, David Newman has been tapped to lead the organization as CEO effective Sept. 1.
“After a thorough and thoughtful nationwide executive search process, we have found an exceptional and dedicated leader in agriculture to take the organization representing America’s nearly 60,000 pork producers into the future,” said Gordon Spronk, a Minnesota pig farmer, swine veterinarian and NPB’s board president, in a news release.
Newman joined the organization full time in June 2023.
“David is no stranger to the pork industry,” Spronk said. “He has proven himself to be leadership-oriented, producer-focused and outcomes-driven when it comes to ensuring the pork industry is addressing the challenges and opportunities ahead of us.”
The board of directors has expressed its confidence in Newman’s character and capability to lead the organization, staff and industry into a productive and powerful next season for pork.
“It’s a privilege to work for and on behalf of pork producers,” Newman said. “We make a flavorful, nutritious product that is beloved by millions of people across the globe. Producers can be proud of that, and of the work their checkoff is doing to drive demand with new generations of consumers, ensure we have a healthy swine herd and help the industry anticipate and adapt to change.”
In addition to his former role, Newman served as a member of the NPB board of directors, serving as the board’s president for two terms in 2020 and 2021. He also served as a member of the U.S. Meat Export Federation executive committee.
USMEF president and CEO Dan Halstrom said the National Pork Board has made an outstanding choice.
“USMEF has had numerous opportunities to work with Dr. Newman in his many pork industry leadership roles, so we know firsthand the expertise and experience he brings to this role,” Halstrom said. “Dr. Newman knows the importance of both international and domestic demand for U.S. pork, and that it is critical to maximize both. We look forward to working closely with him and the entire Pork Board team to deliver value for U.S. producers.”
Before joining NPB as staff, Newman received a doctorate in meat and animal science from North Dakota State University. He was also a faculty member at NDSU and later at Arkansas State University, serving as a leader in meat science programs and swine research, where he focused his academic work on meat quality. Along with his family, Newman owns and operates Newman Family Farms based in Myrtle, Mo.
“I am honored to be named CEO of the National Pork Board and to continue serving pork producers and the industry in an even greater capacity going forward,” Newman said.
The NPB board appointed a committee in April to conduct the CEO search and represent a cross-section of pork industry expertise and perspectives. The committee was led by past NPB board president Al Wulfekuhle, a pig farmer from Iowa. The robust national search process included support from Kincannon & Reed, one of the nation’s leading global executive search firms focused on the food and agribusiness industry.
“I’m grateful to the selection committee for their time and commitment to serve pig farmers and help us determine the next leader of the National Pork Board,” Spronk said. “As a board, we have confidence in NPB staff continuing the great work that is already underway to deliver the goals in our strategic plan. In the fortieth year since the founding of the National Pork Board, the board and its officers, the new CEO and the NPB staff are well positioned to meet the needs of the next generation of our nation’s pork producers.”
