Advisory Board and Staff
Voting Members
Jeff Henning
Chairman of Henning Holdings and its affiliates, Jeff Henning has been employed with the company for 45-years starting after receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering Operations from Iowa State University. Henning Family Farms is a partner in several egg farm partnerships including poultry industry companies created to add value to by-product waste streams from eggs and egg products production. Two resulting companies are Naturally Recycled Proteins (NRP) and Biova.
Henning was named Iowa Poultry Person of the Year in 2002, and is a founding member of the Egg Industry Center Advisory Board. Henning serves on the board of the Delta Tau Delta Fraternity National Education Foundation and is a member of the United Egg Producers Allied Association, Iowa Poultry Association, International Egg Commission, and numerous local civic organizations and associations. Previously, he’s served on the Midwest Poultry Consortium board, was Mayor for the City of Latimer, Iowa (10-years), and was named Outstanding Graduate of the Iowa Military Academy in 1971.
Greg Herbruch
After completing a bachelor of science in Poultry Science from Michigan State University, Greg became a full-time employee of the family business in 1979. Today Greg leads the family business as President where he leads all Vice Presidents and all divisions, nine million hens and a team of +900 employees. He is responsible for financing, product marketing, human resources, client sales and distribution. Greg oversees all operations: Main Farm (2.6 million hens), Hennery (2.9 million hens), Green Meadow Organics (2 million hens), contract specialty egg production (1.9 million hens), Chickery (2.5 million pullets), Rector Rd. (1.5 million pullets), and feed mill operations. Additionally as president, Greg administers all farm functions related to production, processing, marketing & sales, all office operations. He is involved in the United Egg Producers, the Midwest Food Association, is previous member of the American Egg Board and, the past President of Michigan Allied Poultry Industries.
Daniel Robison
Dr. Daniel J. Robison is the holder of the Endowed Dean’s Chair in College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS) at Iowa State University. He also serves as the director for the Iowa Agriculture and Home Economics Experiment Station. Robison is a New Jersey native, and serves as the 11th dean of CALS.
From 2012-2019, Robison served as the dean of the Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design at West Virginia University. Prior to that position, Robison served on the faculty at North Carolina State University for 16 years, before becoming associate dean of research in the College of Natural Resources with responsibilities that included service, international and strategic programming.
Robison graduated with a doctorate in entomology from the University of Wisconsin at Madison in 1993, and holds MS (1986) and BS (1982) degrees in forestry from State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry Syracuse. He has worked in multiple countries, including two years in Ivory Coast West Africa, and extended stays in others.
Pete Block
Pete Block received a BA in Economics from Syracuse University in 1981. Block entered the poultry industry in 1984 working for Hy-Line International on the west coast. He served first as a sales representative in Southern California and in 1988 and became their Western Region Manager. In 2007, Block became the president of Hy-Line North America, LLC in West Des Moines, Iowa. In the United States, Hy-Line North America is the marketing and distribution company for Hy-Line International and Lohmann Tierzucht poultry genetics. Block has been on the Board of Directors for the Pacific Egg & Poultry Association, serving as president from 2006-07, and is also involved in the United Egg Producers Allied Association. He is a founding member of the Egg Industry Center Advisory Board. Block and his wife live in central Iowa.
Bruce Dooyema
After high school, Bruce Dooyema pursued a career on the family farm southwest of Sioux Center doing both dairy and egg production. After a dairy barn fire in the fall of 1986, the Dooyema family decided to turn their attention to egg production only. Today, the farm — Center Fresh Egg — has operations in four counties in Iowa and also in the African nation of Mozambique.
As a father of three daughters, Lindsey, Tessa, and Whitney, Dooyema knows that his family expects the same high-quality, affordable and safe eggs that consumers demand. As an egg farmer, he is committed to doing what is right for his hens, the environment and his community. Bruce is proud to provide Americans and those in Mozambique with affordable and nutritious food
Dooyema currently serves on various boards and committees including: American Egg Board, United Egg Producers, Iowa Egg Council, the local Community Hospital & Health Center, Farmer Alliance Group, American Farm Bureau Advisory Committee, and the local Agriculture Committee. He is also a member of the local ambulance squad and enjoys family, golf, traveling, and growing the mission field around the world, including the African nations of Mozambique and Swaziland. He has been a life-long member of Bethel Christian Reformed Church and is the youngest of three brothers. Bruce is a 1981 graduate of Unity Christian High School in Orange City and it is there that he meet his wife. They were then married in 1984.
Steve George
Jonathan Merkle
Dr. Jonathan Merkle is the Chief Science Officer and Vice President of Science and Technology for Michael Foods, Inc. He serves as the process authority and is responsible for sound implementation of science and technology throughout the company. In addition, he is responsible for the technical evaluation and business implementation for products intended for the nutrition, personal care, and pharmaceutical segments of Michael Foods. He previously held the position of Vice President, Research and Development, responsible for the research, development, and technical services for processed egg, potato, and cheese products.
Dr. Merkle received his Bachelor of Science degrees from Pennsylvania State University in Food Science and Animal Bioscience; his Masters of Science in Food Science from North Carolina State University; and his Doctorate in Philosophy from the University of Minnesota in Food Science. Michael Foods is a food manufacturer that sells in the food service, retail, and food ingredient channels and is recognized as a leader in the manufacture and distribution of extended shelf life refrigerated products. Michael Foods sells eggs under the brand names of Michael Foods, Papetti’s, M.G. Waldbaum, Inovatech, and Abbotsford Farms. For retail, Crystal Farms is a leader in pasteurized egg white under the All Whites brand and second in the egg substitutes with Better ‘N Egg.
Dr. Merkle is has been awarded about 20 US and international patents in the area of egg processing. He is a professional member of the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) and was awarded the Fellow distinction in 2010. Other service includes the Chairman of the IFT Foundation Board of Trustees; IFT Executive Board; Food Update Foundation Board; University of Minnesota Food Science and Nutrition Advisory Council, and the National Center for Food Defense Technical Advisory Board.
Paul Patterson
Dr. Paul Patterson is a Professor and Poultry Science Extension Specialist for Pennsylvania State University and holds a doctorate degree in poultry science and nutritional science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. His main research interests target environmental poultry management, including the management of manure and by-products of poultry production as well as the impacts of odor, flies and traffic on the environment at the urban-rural interface. Other research efforts through the years have been geared to enhancing producer profitability and improving egg production, quality, and food safety.
A two-time past member of the Editorial Review Board for the Journal of Applied Poultry Research and subject editor for their layer management section, Patterson is currently service as editor for the World Poultry Science Association, USA Branch. He has been a member of many industry appointed committees such as Pennsylvania’s Egg Quality Assurance Program and the United Egg Producer’s Scientific Panel on Air Emissions and the American Egg Board Research Award Committee. Patterson is currently a member of the World Poultry Science Association, the Poultry Science Association, the Southern Poultry Science Society, and the American Poultry Historical Society.
Roger Pelissero
Roger Pelissero is third generation egg farmer from St. Ann’s, Ontario and Chair of the Board of Egg Farmers of Canada. Prior to his appointment as Chairman in 2017, Roger represented Ontario on the Egg Farmers of Canada Board of Directors. He has also served on numerous Board appointed committees including Executive, Cost of Production, Marketing and Nutrition, Service Fee and Production Management.
He currently serves on the Egg Farmers of Ontario Board of Directors representing Zone 4 and served as a member of Egg Farmers of Ontario’s Executive Committee. As Director for Ontario’s Zone 4, Roger represents Ontario’s Counties of Brant and Haldimand and the regional municipalities of Hamilton-Wentworth and Niagara.
As a representative of Egg Farmers of Canada, Roger has appeared before the House of Commons Standing on Agriculture and Agri-Food and the Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry to brief MPs and Senators on the egg industry’s activities and objectives. He is advocate for evidence-based research that supports progress and innovation. Roger has been farming with his family and wife Lorrie since 1984.
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Brett Pickar
Chris Pierce
Mickey Rubin
Marcus Rust
Michael Sencer
Michael Sencer is the Senior Vice President for Hidden Villa Ranch located in Fullerton, California. Involved in the food and egg industry for over 45 years, he started in 1971, working nights for California Ranch Fresh Egg Company in El Monte, California. Sencer became a working partner at that company for 17 years before joining Hidden Villa Ranch in 1986.
Sencer has served as the state appointee to the State of California Shell Egg Advisory Board, serving as past chairman and vice chairman of this group. He has also served on the California Newcastle/Avian Bird Flu Task Force and is acting president of the California Egg Industry Association. Sencer serves on the American Egg Board and two committees of the United Egg Producers in addition to the numerous other past leadership positions he has held within California and beyond.
Sencer holds a B.S. degree in real estate, accounting and finance from California State University, as well as a subsequent degree in computer programming and his completion of the Food Industry Executive Program at the University of Southern California.
Hongwei Xin
Dr. Hongwei Xin serves as the dean of Ag Research and director of the Tennessee Agricultural Experiment Station at The University of Tennessee (UT) where he directs several research programs of some 200 scientists and 450 specialized staff located on campus and at 10 strategically-located Research and Education Centers across Tennessee. Prior to joining the UT Institute of Agriculture, he served as Iowa State University’s (ISU) College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Assistant Dean for Research. At ISU, Dr. Xin was a Charles F. Curtiss Distinguished Professor in the Departments of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering and Animal Science and served as the founding director of the Egg Industry Center serving in that capacity from 2008-2019.
Dr. Xin’s work has produced significant contributions to scientific literature and engineering practices related to animal production systems at the national and international level. He has served as the principal or co-principal investigator of more than $23.7 million in competitive grants and contracts for research, extension and education programs; mentored 72 graduate students, postdocs, and visiting professors; authored/co-authored 200 refereed journal articles; and delivered 149 invited talks in 16 countries. Xin is also known for his collaborative work in facilitating linkages between academics, research and economic development.
Dr. Xin received his B.S. degree from Shenyang Agricultural University in China, and M.S. and PhD degrees from the University of Nebraska, all in agricultural and biological engineering. His research and extension activities focused on air quality, livestock and poultry production systems engineering, precision livestock farming, and sustainable animal-environment interactions in regards to animal bioenergetics. He is the acting chair of the United Egg Producer’s Environmental Scientific Committee.
Ex-Officio Members
Michael Naig
Mike Naig grew up on a family farm in the northwest corner of the state near Cylinder, Iowa. Early in his life, he learned the value of hard work by helping his dad and uncle run their crop and livestock farm. He continues to be involved in the operation today.
Naig served as Iowa Deputy Secretary of Agriculture since September 2013 and was appointed to the position of Iowa’s Secretary of Agriculture by Governor Kim Reynolds on March 5, 2018 when his predecessor, Bill Northey, was confirmed by the U.S. Senate to serve as USDA Undersecretary. He was elected to a full term as Iowa’s Secretary of Agriculture on Nov. 6, 2018. Naig is committed to leading efforts to protect consumers, expanding economic opportunities for Iowans and advocating in Iowa and around the globe on behalf of the hard-working men and women who keep us fed and fueled.
Naig has led the initiative for the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy, supports trade policies that expand Iowa’s markets and believes in encouraging the next generation to pursue careers in agriculture. As Deputy Secretary, he was responsible for the operations of the department, specifically policy, budget and personnel. He also regularly travelled across the state and on international trade missions. Before joining the Department, Naig had been active in the agribusiness industry for more than 13 years, having served in public policy roles for state and national trade associations and in private industry. He is a graduate of Buena Vista University in Storm Lake with degrees in biology and political science. Naig and his wife, Jaime, have three boys.
Kevin Stiles
The Executive Director of the Iowa Egg Council and Iowa Poultry Association, Kevin Stiles acts as a resource for the state’s poultry production activities and provides leadership in developing new markets and growth opportunities for the industry. As Executive Director, Stiles has worked hard to expand opportunities for members and stakeholders in the poultry industry through leadership, support, advocacy and education. These efforts included creation of the Cracking Hunger egg donation program, the Emerging Leader Program, an educational conference on policy issues, and the first concession stand at the Iowa State Fair highlighting egg products. Stiles also fosters the supportive relationship between the poultry industry and the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship through continuing to coordinate Iowa’s National Poultry Improvement Program and organizing workshops on topics such as the Iowa Poultry Disease Response and Emergency Preparedness and Avian Influenza.
Prior to joining the poultry industry, Stiles was Senior Vice President of Business Development for the Midwest Dairy Association and managed business development initiatives in a 10-state area to drive innovation by leveraging product and nutrition research along with consumer and market insights. Prior to that he worked for a marketing communications agency, a state trade association in California and tallied more than six years in export marketing.
Stiles is committed to carrying on the traditions the Iowa Egg Council and Iowa Poultry Association which include supporting the industry, adding value through research, and enhancing egg producer profitability while delivering products that meet current and future customer needs.
Bret Ramerez
Dr. Brett Ramirez is an associate professor in Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering at Iowa State University. Ramirez focuses his research and extension programs on ventilation systems, natural resource and energy efficiency, animal energies, environmental control, and precision livestock farming.
Ramirez’s research focuses on ventilation, natural resource and energy efficiency, animal energetics, environmental control, and precision livestock farming. He also works to advance the technology needed to address general topics that arise in livestock and poultry production systems. In his extension capacity he assists the livestock and poultry industries with engineering, design, management, and troubleshooting of their facilities. Ramirez’s past experiences with the egg industry include working to improve resource efficiency; air quality and air emissions work including the 2022 EPA draft emissions model challenge study completed by EIC; and completion of studies that quantify poultry operation’s energy usage as it relates to its manure handling systems. In addition, he has led ventilation workshops for production employees and allied industry members.
Ramirez earned his Ph.D. in agricultural and biosystems engineering from Iowa State University and obtained his M.S. and B.S. degrees in agricultural and biological engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Staff
Maro Ibarburu
Mr. Ibarburu’s master degree in economics is key to his role in analyzing the economics of the U.S. egg industry. He then provide meaningful marketing and statistical information to the industry in the form monthly reports including flock and price projections. Ibarburu is the U.S. Egg Industry economics informant reporting to the International Egg Commission.
Ibarburu’s role has required him to initiate several special reports diving into specific issues affecting U.S. egg markets. He travels domestically and internationally to give presentations and learn about production systems and their related impacts on the cost of production. His other main role for the center is to analyze data gathered from research projects, and gather other informational research resources to ensure the center provides solid scientific answers on topics to both producers and consumers.
Lesa Vold
Communications Specialist
Vold is responsible for communication to several audiences including: egg producers and processors, government agencies, university faculty, staff and researchers as well as other U.S. egg industry champions like the American Egg Board and the United Egg Producers.
One of Vold’s main roles is coordination of the annual Egg Industry Issues Forum. Held in various venues around the country each April, Vold works to ensure this event provides both producers and industry a place to learn about current issues and research that impacts them. Her communication role also include working with the center’s advisory board, developing and maintaining the EIC website, coordination of the EIC grant awards program and all printed reports and informational pieces for the center.