ALEXANDRIA, VA. — David L. Meeker, PhD, current senior vice president at the North American Renderers Association (NARA) and director of research for the Fats and Proteins Research Foundation (FPRF), is retiring at the end of the year.

“Dr. Meeker’s work has been instrumental to our organization,” said Kent Swisher, president and chief executive officer at NARA and FPRF. “We appreciate his time and dedication to NARA and FPRF and wish him all the best in his retirement.”

According to NARA, Meeker spent “a lifetime” in the animal agriculture industry and over 18 years with the association.

Previously, Meeker served in scientific and management positions at the National Turkey Federation (NTF) and the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC). He served as director of the Board on Agriculture and Natural Resources at the National Academy of Sciences and was an associate professor at The Ohio State University. Meeker has been president of the US Animal Health Association, a member of the scientific advisory panel of the World Renderers Organization (WRO) and a member of the USDA Secretary’s Advisory Committee on Animal Health.

During his time with NARA, he served as the scientific and technical advisor on science, animal disease and feed safety issues and also served as director of research for NARA’s research arm, FPRF. He launched and managed many successful programs and projects during his tenure at NARA. He successfully navigated the association through a number of negotiations including FDA rulemaking concerning bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) as well as rulemaking for the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). He also initiated a collaborative research effort that resulted in the creation of the Pet Food Alliance.

“Working for renderers at NARA has been the best of all the roles I’ve had in science and agriculture,” Meeker said. “I will miss the day-to-day relationships with the wonderful people of this industry and its stakeholders.”

Meeker’s last day will be Dec. 31, 2022. NARA has selected leadership to replace Meeker once he retires and will announce the selection before the end of the year.