DES MOINES, IOWA – The National Pork Board (NPB) announced the appointment of James “Jamie” Burr to the role of chief sustainability officer, a new leadership position with the association. Since assuming the role on March 27, Burr is leading the NPB’s sustainability team, which includes five experts specializing in public health, animal health and animal welfare who are responsible for accomplishing its sustainability goals that were announced in 2022.  

Burr joined the NPB after working for more than 20 years in a similar role with Tyson Foods Inc. He most recently was the director of environmental compliance in addition to serving as the environmental lead for all of Tyson’s live-animal production businesses. After joining Tyson in 1999, he led numerous teams in the areas of environmental, safety, health and sustainability, which included the development of Tyson’s greenhouse gas, deforestation and land-stewardship targets.

“Jamie’s input has been invaluable to several key producer-funded initiatives for more than a decade,” said Bill Even, NPB’s chief executive officer. “He’s served on and chaired several pork board environmental and sustainability committees and task forces, so his leadership has already helped shape the industry’s sustainability vision. Establishing a CSO position and adding Jamie to the team continues to demonstrate our industry’s strong commitment to advancing pork sustainability.”

Burr, who has a master’s degree in soil science and a bachelor’s in agronomy, grew up on a Missouri hog farm. He said he is anxious to begin working with the NPB team and focus on achieving the members’ goals.

“It’s an honor for me to lead this team and take on the responsibility of shaping and sharing the industry’s sustainability story,” said Burr. “We have bold goals and metrics that producers have laid out for us, and I look forward to working with the staff and the board to meet and report on those efforts.”

“The CSO role serves as a conduit between producers, our supply chain partners, Wall Street investors and consumers,” added the NPB’s Even. “Jamie knows and has worked with all of these audiences. He understands business, he understands the consumer, and knows the importance of building relationships among all stakeholders along the supply chain.”