With just over 30 days under his belt as the National Pork Board (NPB) CEO, David Newman couldn’t be more excited about the opportunity that lies ahead. He may be sitting in a new seat, but he says being a part of this organization and the strategic planning process over the past few years has provided him with the ability to hit the ground running for the industry.
“Now more than ever, there is a transformational opportunity for the pork business,” Newman says. “What gets me excited is building on the foundation established by the farmers. Unlike many CEOs who are hired during times of distress in a company, or times where the industry is looking for somebody to come in and shake things up, the strategic direction is already in place so I can go after it from a tactics standpoint.”
That focus, combined with direction from the board of directors, gives him a leg up, he says. He’s quick to point out the road ahead won’t be easy, but the opportunity is great.
“The National Pork Board represents 60,000 farmers who know a lot about a business that can change on a dime,” Newman says. “Agriculture is one of the riskiest businesses we can be in but is also one of the most rewarding. It’s been a great summer, and we feel a little bit of wind at our back, which is good. Now, it’s about focusing on how we really keep this momentum going into the future.”
What Kind of a Leader is David Newman?
Newman has a long tenure in the pork industry that includes being a third-generation pork producer, a meat scientist in academia, president of NPB in 2019-2020, a member of several industry committees, and the former NPB senior vice president of market growth.
“It’s really challenging to find someone who can go from a restaurant in conversation with a chef to a meat lab in conversation with students about the pork carcass to the boardroom dealing with a board of directors to rallying a staff around an issue or an effort, and then sitting down and talking with producers about all of the challenges that we face in the industry today, yesterday and even tomorrow,” says Jesse Heimer, a Missouri pork producer and member of the NPB board of directors. “David Newman has certainly shown me and so many others that he’s very well equipped in all of those places.”
What is his leadership style? Newman says radical transparency and focus are two ways he would describe his approach to leadership.
“I believe in full transparency – let’s talk about the issues. Let’s frame up a strategy around them, but let’s communicate frequently. Let’s communicate openly and honestly,” Newman says. “No secrets. Let’s talk about the tough issues, and let’s get moving down the road.
He also says focus is important when leading a group of people.
“Find where you can focus, find where you can align the right people around you, and then foster an environment of teamwork and spirit,” Newman says. “That may sound corny and cliche, but I am an absolute believer that culture eats strategy for breakfast.”
He believes authenticity is also essential for driving long-term success for producers.
“Anyone who knows me, knows I’m very passionate about this business,” Newman says. “It’s where my heart is, it’s where my brain is. And when you’re passionate about something, you can rally people around you. That’s what I look for in people who I respect as mentors as well – this authenticity.”
He admires people who are truthful and transparent but also willing to rally around the things that they do.
“Farming is a tough business,” Newman adds. “I grew up in it. I’ve seen the highs, and I’ve seen the lows in this business. But if every day, when you roll out of bed in this limited amount of time that we have while we’re here, if you can do good, meaningful work that you’re excited about, that’s really powerful.”
Leaving it Better for the Next Generation
If Newman was guaranteed to accomplish one thing for U.S. pork producers during his tenure as CEO, he hopes it would be long-term success.
“That may sound incredibly vague, but we have an opportunity to really make a difference,” he says. “If I could have an opportunity to do one thing, it’s that whenever I leave this role someday, and I hope it’s a long time from now, that I leave it better than I found it. But most importantly, that we’ve created a better business and a better opportunity for future generations of people in the pork business.”
Newman says this is possible if the industry is willing to focus, listen to stakeholders, be transparent, work hard and follow the strategic plan and priorities set forth by the NPB board of directors.
“If I can do one thing, I hope to help secure the long-term position,” he explains. “I want to help make sure my son and daughter, if they decide to be a part of this business, don’t have to go through some of the major challenges that my parents went through, that I have gone through, and that literally hundreds and thousands of my friends in the business have, too.”
Newman shares more about NPB’s strategic initiatives, discusses his thoughts on pork quality and where the industry is heading, and opens up about his family on the 31st episode of The PORK Podcast, marking one year of this podcast telling the story behind the story. You can watch it here on YouTube or listen anywhere podcasts are found.
