"It is rewarding to bring added value to this dynamic industry," Kimball said, "and I look forward to continuing to make a contribution in a new capacity."
Kimball was executive director of the North American Meat Processors Association (NAMP) starting in 2007. Following the merger of NAMP with the National Meat Association (NMA) in 2012, Kimball became executive director of the merged organization, NAMA.
Before joining NAMP, Kimball was an associate staff member of the US House Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee, and the agriculture legislative assistant to former US Representative J. Kenneth Robinson, R-Va. He also led several food-related trade associations.
As executive director of NAMP, Kimball is credited for advocating member interests on food safety issues with the Food Safety Inspection Service and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. He also championed membership in NAMP for meat processors in Canada, Mexico and the US. Kimball also advocated harmonizing the wholesale meat specifications of Canada and the US to facilitate trade, and made NAMP's Meat Buyer's Guide applicable in both countries. Additionally, he expanded The Guide from one book in English to a product line of 12 items in Spanish as well as English.
During his time at NAMA, Kimball helped integrate NAMP and NMA. He was the staff leader on developing NAMA's new insurance program, directed the programs of four committees, generated non-dues income and headed NAMA's recent outreach to the culinary sector. Meanwhile, he oversaw production of the 8th edition of The Guide, which NAMA launched in November.
