MJM Global Search Seeks CEO for the National Livestock Producers Association
January 12, 2018 – The National Livestock Producers Association (NLPA), the national association of livestock marketing cooperatives and their captive livestock credit corporations, is looking for its next chief executive officer.
The organization has enlisted Denver area-based MJM Global Search to find its new leader.
Scott Stuart, longtime head of the NLPA, recently left the organization to take on the CEO role at Cattlemen’s Beef Board. Jim Harlan, MJM’s president and CEO, is leading the assignment.
NLPA, now in its 97th year, is seeking a CEO who has a strong livestock and association management background and is able to provide strategic leadership for the organization and manage all aspects of organizational affairs.
The group’s next CEO must be a gifted communicator, energetic self-starter and motivational and inspirational leader with an exceptional ability to articulate a clear vision for a diverse organization, build consensus, collaborate and drive toward a common vision, said NLPA.
Since 1921, National Livestock Producers Association 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
Agribusinesses worldwide face a host of challenges as they navigate their complicated mission of feeding the growing world population. This has led to high demand for new leaders among food businesses and agricultural organizations. And executive searches have stepped up to the talent in recent months.
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. J.R. Simplot is a $6 billion privately-held food and agribusiness global company based in Boise, ID.
The McAulay Smith Firm placed Alexander Pease as EVP and CFO of Snyder’s-Lance, Inc. President Steven Smith lead 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 Will Schatz, Managing Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
