Zoetis announced the three winners of its Champions of Care Caregiver Awards who exemplify passion and dedication to animal care on Wednesday at the World Pork Expo. The company honored the 2026 winners: Alfonso Aguilar Vega of Tosh Farms in Tennessee; Lyle Lupe of AMVC in Arizona; and Rob English of Country View Family Farms in Indiana.
The awards honor and celebrate the vital role caregivers play in raising healthy pigs and supporting a safe, high-quality food supply. A panel of judges selected the winners based on their dedication to animal care, ability to foster strong teams and a commitment to inspire the next generation of industry leaders, the company explains.
“On farms and in barns, caregivers are the backbone of our industry. And, at Zoetis, we are committed to honoring them and the work they do,” says Wes Lack, national sales director for Zoetis Pork. “We’re proud to honor Alfonso, Lyle and Rob, who exemplify what it means to champion care every day through their dedication to animals and their teams.”
Rob English, Country View Family Farms
For 33 years, English has worked in the pork industry and currently serves as the general manager for production operations at Country View Family Farms. He is known for his compassionate demeanor and servant leadership.
He also mentors teams and champions animal care while promoting continuous improvement. English says he enjoys working with and mentoring young leaders on the farm.
Lyle Lupe, AMVC
Lupe serves as a nursery production manager for AMVC and leads a team of barn managers, overseeing health, production, maintenance and environmental work. He is known for leading with compassion, kindness and a calm attitude.
Lupe’s focus is on providing individualized care to maintain animal health. He believes this is key to his success, along with setting a high standard for his teams.
Alfonso Aguilar Vega, Tosh Farms
Aguilar Vega is a herdsman for Tosh Farms. He is well known for his genuine care in everything he does. In his role, he helps build team culture and encourages others to rise to his level.
He also enjoys the people he works with and understands his role takes dedication to caring for animals in order to provide food for people, Zoetis says. Before he found his “home” in the swine industry, Aguilar Vega worked in construction.
The Zoetis Champions of Care Caregiver Awards program kicks off again this fall with nominations for the 2027 Caregiver Awards opening in October.
