MJM Global Search Finds CEO for the National Livestock Producers Association
April 27, 2018 – Denver area-based MJM Global Search has placed Kraig Roesch as the new CEO of the National Livestock Producers Association (NLPA), an association of livestock marketing cooperatives and their captive livestock credit corporations. Scott Stuart, longtime head of the NLPA, recently left the organization to become CEO at Cattlemen’s Beef Board. Jim Harlan, MJM’s president and CEO, led the assignment.
NLPA, now in its 97th year, was seeking a CEO with a strong livestock and association management background who was able to provide strategic leadership and manage all aspects of the group’s organizational affairs.
Mr. Roesch fits that bill. He has a farm background and 18 years of experience working with livestock producers and livestock marketing associations. “I’m a farm kid from way back,” he said. “I grew up in agriculture and I love being in the livestock industry.”
Mr. Roesch grew up on a diversified family farm in southeastern Colorado and was active in 4-H and Future Farmers of America (FFA), serving as a Colorado State FFA officer. He raised ewes and lambs and started a small cow-calf operation in high school, and after graduation from law school, returned to the farm to become a partner in a 200-head cow-calf operation, while establishing a private law practice.
“We are very excited to start a new chapter at NLPA with the hiring of our new CEO, Kraig Roesch,” said Gary Smith, NLPA’s chairman of the board. “This is uncharted territory for most of us on the board, and in the office. Scott Stuart did a great job leading this organization for the past 30 years. Our executive committee wanted to make sure we found someone with the ability to continue moving NLPA forward.”
“His experience as a regional director with the Packers & Stockyard Division of the USDA has given him many leadership and organizational opportunities that we think will serve him well in this new position,” said Mr. Smith.
Since 1921, NLPA services have been designed to help member marketing agencies and credit corporations become more effective and efficient for its producer-patrons, the Colorado Springs, CO-based organization said.
Finding Top Talent
MJM Global Search has been partnering with organizations for over 20 years, with clients ranging from Fortune 500 corporations to smaller fast-growing start-ups.
Mr. Harlan specializes in recruiting executives for aerospace manufacturing and non-profits. He has over 25 years of senior management, consulting and international recruiting experience. Mr. Harlan has held senior executive-level positions within a wide range of companies, and he has extensive experience with international travel.
Turning to Search Firms
In recent years, food businesses and agricultural organizations worldwide have faced high demand for new leaders, and executive searches have stepped up to find the talent.
Here is a sampling of recent searches in the agricultural sector from the Hunt Scanlon Media archives:
Kincannon & Reed placed Tony Arnold as CEO of Willowood USA in Broomfield, CO. Managing partners Jon Leafstedt and Gary Weihs led the assignment. Mr. Arnold brings over 25 years of experience in the agriculture industry, holding a variety of leadership positions with American Cyanamid, BASF and Dupont.
Boutique leadership provider Hilmar & Ross in conjunction with Yellow Folder Research has recruited Greg Schlafer as SVP of sales and marketing for J.R. Simplot’s Food Group. Ken Smuland, CEO of Hilmar & Ross, led the assignment. Mr. Schlafer previously served as president of Lamb Weston, a subsidiary of ConAgra Foods.
The McAulay Smith Firm placed Alexander Pease as EVP and CFO of Snyder’s-Lance, Inc. President Steven Smith led the assignment. Snyder’s-Lance manufactures and markets snack foods throughout the U.S. and internationally. He will replace Rick Puckett, who left his role in November.
Herd Freed Hartz Executive Search Partners recruited Chad Vincent to serve as chief executive officer of the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board, a non-profit organization of dairy producers that promotes the consumption of milk, cheese and other dairy products made in America’s Dairyland.
Taylor Winfield placed Constance Cullman as president and CEO of Farm Foundation. The foundation works as a catalyst for sound public policy by providing objective information to foster a deeper understanding of issues shaping the future for agriculture, food systems and rural regions. Previously, Ms. Cullman was the U.S. government affairs leader for Dow AgroSciences.
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor; Stephen Sawicki, Managing Editor; and Andrew W. Mitchell, Managing Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
