As of June 6, the National Pork Board was under new leadership.

William Even of South Dakota was recently named the board’s new CEO.

“As a fourth generation farmer, I have deep personal knowledge of the challenges facing today’s pork producers and I am impressed with and currently support the Pork Checkoff’s strategic plan that guides and directs its programs,” Even said. “I look forward to working on behalf of America’s more than 60,000 pig farmers to build consumer trust, drive sustainable production and grow consumer demand for pork.”

Even comes to the National Pork Board after a career with DuPont Pioneer, where he managed the company’s global industry relations strategy. In that position he was able to foster relationships in the fields of seed, biotechnology, biofuels and farm policy. Before that, he served as DuPont’s commercial unit lead for South Dakota, North Dakota and northwest Minnesota, leading seed sales, operational marketing, agronomy, training, demand planning, precision agriculture and policy needs.

Even also served as South Dakota’s secretary of agriculture from 2007 to 2010, prior to being hired by DuPont. During his term there he managed six divisions including Agriculture Regulatory Services, Agriculture Development, State Fair, Wildland Fire, Resource Conservation and Forestry and Agricultural Policy.

He was also the policy advisor for South Dakota Governor Mike Rounds.

Even also earned a degree in agricultural production from Lake Area Technical Institute, as well as a bachelor of science in agricultural business and a minor in economics from South Dakota State University. In addition to that, he also holds a juris doctorate from Drake University Law School where he was an Opperman Scholar.

Even owns and operates a fifth-generation diversified crop and livestock operation in the Humboldt, S.D., area, originally homesteaded by his great-grandfather in 1883.

The operation produces corn, soybeans, wheat, alfalfa and cattle. Even himself began farming in 1983.

Even lives with his wife Janell and three children in the Des Moines, Iowa area.

-Staff reports