CLIVE, IOWA — The Iowa Pork Producers Association (IPPA) announced Matt Gent will serve as the organization’s new president. He took on the role during the association’s annual meeting in Des Moines on Jan. 23.

Gent succeeds Trish Cook, who now holds the position of past president on the IPPA board of directors. Cook was the first female president in IPPA’s history.

Both Gent and Cook will serve one-year terms in their new roles.

A Washington County pig farmer, Gent served as IPPA’s president-elect in 2023. He originally joined the IPPA board of directors in 2018. Gent was named a Master Pork Producer in 2015 and has served as an IPPA delegate to the National Pork Forum.

At the local level, Gent has served on the Washington County Pork Producers Board of Directors since 2010, including as president and vice president. He is also a member of the Iowa Corn Growers Association.

Gent earned an agriculture business degree from Kirkwood Community College.

“I look forward to representing Iowa pork producers while addressing the challenges and opportunities we face in the upcoming year,” Gent said. “Each year brings new opportunities to share our story, to strengthen our domestic and international relationships, and to share our commitment to grow rural Iowa.”

In addition to Gent’s appointment, IPPA named Carroll County pig farmer Aaron Juergens IPPA president-elect.

Other changes to the board include Bob Webb as District 5 director and Chris Bellcock as District 6 director.