WASHINGTON — The US Meat Export Federation (USMEF) selected new officers during its Annual Strategic Planning Conference, held in New Orleans, La., from Nov. 8-10.

Randy Spronk from Edgerton, Minn., was named USMEF chair. He serves as president and managing partner of Spronk Brothers Holding, including operations that produce pork and feedgrains, as well as feed milling and delivery. Spronk also worked with a group of producers that purchased a former Hormel plant and is marketing pork products under Wholestone Foods.

“It’s phenomenal to see how different organizations work together through USMEF to export US beef, pork and lamb worldwide,” Spronk said. “We bring all the sectors together into one room and discuss trade. What are the obstacles? What are the things we’ve done right?”

Spronk also served previously as president of the National Pork Producers Council and Minnesota Pork Producers Association. He participated in numerous trade missions, beginning with a 1999 journey to Japan.

He returned to Japan in 2023 as part of a USMEF delegation that also visited South Korea. Spronk has also promoted US red meat products in several Latin American markets while on trade missions and during USMEF product showcases in Colombia, Panama and the Dominican Republic.

“Having multiple markets will bring more value back to our producers,” Spronk said. “We also have to differentiate what we do in the United States from others so that we have long-term growth in our markets. I think we have a strong story to tell on sustainability and it can help differentiate us, because of how responsibly we produce our feed and livestock. It’s a story that nobody else in the world can replicate.”

Spronk takes over the role of USMEF chair from Dean Meyer, a corn, soybean, and livestock producer from Rock Rapids, Iowa.

Other officers appointed by USMEF include chair-elect Steve Hanson, a cattle rancher from southwestern Nebraska. Hanson also serves as president of Nebraska Cattlemen.

Jay Theiler will serve as vice-chair of the association. Currently, he is executive vice president of corporate affairs for Agri Beef, based in Boise, Idaho.

The newest officer will be David Bruntz, working as secretary-treasurer. Bruntz previously served as chair of the Nebraska Corn Board, president of the Nebraska Cattlemen and National Cattlemen’s Beef Association regional vice president. Bruntz has also served on the USMEF Executive Committee, representing the feedgrains sector.