Report of the National Pork Board Nominating Committee

Report of the
National Pork Board
Nominating Committee
to the National Pork Producers
(Pork Act) Delegate Meeting
National Pork Industry Forum • Pork Act Delegate Session
Phoenix, Arizona • March 3-5, 2011

Dear Pork Act Delegate:
The National Pork Board Nominating Committee is pleased to present the candidates listed
in this booklet. These candidates have all undergone an intensive screening and interviewing
process by the Nominating Committee. The Committee would like to extend a special thanks to
all these candidates who are willing to commit the time and effort to be involved in the election
process. The high quality of candidates assures that you will continue to have the opportunity
to elect Pork Board leadership that reflects the great vision, talent, diversity and geographical
balance offered by our industry.
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The Committee considered the requirement that no less than 12 states be represented on the
Pork Board, and it does not believe that this presents a problem this year. As in every year, the
Committee carefully followed a comprehensive set of protocols as it conducted its business to
ensure an ethical and fair process that affords equal opportunity to every candidate.
Ranking: Whether or not to rank candidates has generated considerable controversy over the
years. Rather than giving each candidate only one single overall score, the Board asked the
Nominating Committee to evaluate each candidate in the 5 essential components needed for
Pork Board Member success:
a. Industry Knowledge – Big picture
b. Pork Board & Checkoff knowledge, programs, ideas
c. Leadership - Active involvement/experience
d. Communications
e. Attitude: Passion and commitment to the pork industry
Regardless of the Nominating Committee work, you who comprise the Pork Act Delegate Body have
an obligation under the Pork Act to thoroughly evaluate each candidate. We trust that this additional
breakdown will assist you in making a more informed decision about who to support, based on which
of the 5 essential components you believe is most important for quality service on the Pork Board. You
can then present a prioritized list of qualified pork producers to the Secretary of Agriculture, ranked in
order of who you believe would do the best job in carrying out the checkoff’s mission.
Of course, the Secretary can appoint any 5 of the 8 candidates – all are qualified. While we urge
the Secretary will respect the wishes of delegates and appoint the top 5 nominees as Pork Board
members in accord with Delegate ranking, we are comfortable that we have presented the
names of 8 quality pork producers who can serve our US pork industry well.
Thank you to everyone who submitted an application for the National Pork Board and the
National Pork Board Nominating Committee. You provide the kind of leadership to keep this
organization focused on its mission of service to all US pork producers into the future.
2010-2011 Pork Board Nominating Committee,
Steve Weaver, CA, Chair
Jan Archer, NC
Kim Balfe, MN
Karen Brewer, OK
Jim Fisher, MO
Heather Hora, IA
Brad Thornton, ID

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Pork Board Candidates: 2011 Analysis
• The National Pork Board consists of 15 members each serving a maximum of two, 3-year
terms
• In 2011 there are vacancies for five (5) members of the National Pork Board: five, 3-year
terms.
• The Pork Act specifies that one and one-half names be submitted to USDA.
• A minimum of eight (8) candidates must be ranked by Pork Act Delegates.
• They must meet the 12-state requirement before being sent to the Secretary.
• In July 2011 five (5) Pork Board members will be appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture
from the list of 8 nominees elected by Delegates to serve 3-year terms.
Seats to be elected in 2011 are currently held by:
Roy Henry, KS Eligible for reelection to a 3-year term
Conley Nelson, IA Eligible for reelection to a 3-year term
Karen Richter, MN Eligible for reelection to a 3-year term
Alan Wilhoite, IN Not eligible for reelection
Brian Zimmerman, NE Not eligible for reelection
12 State Rule:
The Pork Act requires that no less than 12 states be represented by the 15 Pork Board
members. At the time of election, the following ten (10) states will be represented
by the 10 incumbent board members:
Ohio, Randy Brown
Missouri, Everett Forkner
Oklahoma, Wathina Luthi
Arkansas, Gene Nemechek
Iowa, Derrick Sleezer
Massachusetts, Lisa Colby
South Dakota, Brad Greenway
Illinois, Julie Maschhoff
Michigan, Dale Norton
Oregon, Steve Wuergler
In order to meet the 12-state requirement, candidates from at least two (2) “new” states beyond
these ten (10) must be ranked in the top 5 of the eight (8) nominees sent to the Secretary of
Agriculture. No more than 3 duplicate states can be represented in the top 5 ranked candidates.
In 2011 that will not be an issue, since there is only one board member from a duplicate state.
Since 7 Pork Board candidates are from new states, there will NOT be a duplicate state issue this
year. Delegates may rank the candidates in any order at all without triggering the duplicate state
rule.

The 2011 Candidates for National Pork Board
5
James Coates • Franklin, KY
James Coates is the sow production manager for Tosh Farms, a farrow-tofinish
operation that markets 450,000 hogs annually. Tosh Pork also grows
corn, soy, wheat, barley and cotton on 10,000 acres.
Nationally, Coates serves on the Checkoff’s Producer and State Relations
Committee and is a 2009 graduate of Pork Leadership Academy. At
the state level he is the vice president of the Kentucky Pork Producers
Association where he also serves on the Executive Board and Swine
Welfare Committee.
Coates believes that public perception of the pork industry is the number
one issue day in and day out. Producers have to continually defend
themselves regarding animal welfare, environment and antibiotic use. While
these issues have a direct effect on producers, consumers are receiving misinformation leading to
fewer pork purchases. Secondly, he believes that if the pork industry is to remain viable in the future
it is imperative to recruit young people to build upon the leadership we currently have.
Coates feels that one of his strengths is communication and maintaining a positive employee
work environment. He stands up for the industry day in and day out. He is seeking this position
because it is important that producers continue to represent themselves in the management of
Checkoff dollars. Pork Board programs are crucial to the producers they represent. Coates wants
to help in the continued development and execution of such programs to benefit pork producers
at all levels.
Randy Curless • Wabash, IN
Randy Curless is the owner and manager of Liberty Swine Farms. Liberty
Swine Farms is a farrow-to-finish operation with 1,000 sows and markets
23,000 hogs annually. Curless also raises corn and soybeans on 900 acres.
Nationally, Curless has served on the Checkoff’s Pork Safety Committee. At
the state level he is a member of the Indiana Pork Producers Association
and served as president in 2009. Locally he was a member of the Wabash
County Pork Producers from 1981-2003. He also is a member of the Wabash
County Soil and Water District Advisory Board and is a past president of the
Wabash County Extension Board.
Curless outlined three major issues facing the pork industry: 1) the
disconnect between the agriculture and the non-agriculture communities
allowing groups like PETA and HSUS to get a large following in their efforts to regulate our industry;
2) new environmental and animal welfare laws and regulations; 3) volatile market swings helping to
fuel consolidation and hurting smaller farms access to capital funding.
Curless says the Pork Board should provide backing to state programs and do for states what they
cannot individually do for themselves. Curless notes his biggest strength is his ability to listen and
hold back comments and judgment until he has heard all the facts. He is passionate toward things
he chooses to get involved with. He has opened his farm to many tours and open house events in an
effort to stand up and defend the U.S. pork industry. His farm has a website and Facebook account
where he reaches out and explains the pork industry. He is seeking this position to expand his
knowledge of the National Pork Board and Checkoff programs, to bring new ideas to the Board and
to continue to support the pork industry.

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Roy Henry • Longford, KS
Roy Henry is owner of a farrow-to-finish hog operation. He is involved in
marketing, oversight of maintenance and purchasing. Henrys LTD. has
2,000 sows and markets 32,000 hogs per year. Henry also raises wheat,
milo and soybeans on 900 acres.
Henry is completing his first three-year term on the National Pork Board.
He serves on the Checkoff’s Environmental Committee and Budget
Committee. He also has served on the Air Quality Committee, Animal
Welfare Committee, Audit Committee, Pork Quality Solutions Committee
and Pork Safety Committee. At the state level, he is a past president of
the Kansas Pork Association.
Henry believes the major issues facing the pork industry include
environmental issues, animal welfare issues and the image of pork. He also notes feeds costs
and labor are becoming more important issues. He views the main goal of the Checkoff and the
National Pork Board as helping producers stay competitive in a global market through research,
promotion and education. He states all of this helps create an image that is positive for the
consumer, our customer.
Henry notes he works well with others because he tries to listen first and then respond. As an
Operation Main Street presenter he is standing up for the industry talking to civic groups and
dieticians. He is seeking this position because the pork industry has been a positive economic
benefit for rural America and he would like to see that opportunity for future generations.
Janice Miller • Belden, NE
Janice Miller is an owner of J Miller Farms LLC, a farrow-to-finish
operation with 140 sows that markets 2,600 annually. She also raises
corn, soybeans and alfalfa on 2,100 acres.
Nationally, Miller has served on the Plan of Work Taskforce and is a
graduate of Pork Leadership Academy. At the state level she is the Second
Vice President for the Nebraska Pork Producers Association, is state
director and serves on the Outreach Committee. Locally, she is a member
of the Cedar County Pork Producers and Cedar County Extension Board.
Miller outlined three major issues facing the industry: 1) market access
for all pork producers; 2) animal right groups; 3) public perception of
farming.
Miller has a passion for the pork industry and wants to see it thrive in the future. She is willing
to stand up and defend the U.S. pork industry by being involved in the working plan that the
Nebraska Pork Producers and other commodity organization will implement to take on the
challenge of animal rights groups targeting Nebraska. She is seeking this position to be a voice
for the producers on a National level.

Henry E. Moore III • Clinton, NC
Henry Moore owns and manages Bobcat Farms, LLC, a 5,300 farrow-to-wean
and 8,800 head finishing facility used for gilt development and breeding.
Bobcat Farms markets 115,000 hogs per year. The farm also includes a 200
head cow/calf operation and 750 acres for hay and small grain.
Moore has served one 3-year term on the National Pork Board. He serves on
the Producer and State Relations, Producer Services and Trade Committees.
He served on the Environmental, Administrative and Audit Committees. He
is an Operation Main Street and OMS.2 speaker, a 2005 Pork Leadership
Academy graduate and a 2006 National Environmental Steward winner.
At the state level, he serves on the North Carolina Pork Council board of
directors and has served on the Executive Committee.
Locally, Moore serves on numerous agricultural and community boards and associations.
The major issue facing the pork industry today is profitability and the ability for producers to continue
producing quality pork for global consumers, Moore states. The Pork Checkoff must be well prepared
to adapt and change strategies as different issues arise. While financial issues have commanded
our attention, animal welfare and environmental folks try to distort the industry image, noted Moore.
Moore feels that one of his strengths is maintaining a positive attitude and considering all options
before forming opinions or developing strategy. He cites the enormous recent financial challenges that
have affected his family and most producers. He believes that perseverance through those difficult
times has made him a better person and leader.
Moore is willing to stand up and defend the U.S. pork industry. He has participated in numerous
community outreach activities. Outside of his role on the Pork Board, he sends letters and emails to key
influencers on a weekly basis. He is seeking a second term on the Board because he wants to see the
industry survive for future families, as well as his own.
Conley Nelson • Algona, IA
Conley Nelson is the general manager of the Murphy-Brown LLC
Midwest operation with 75,000 sows and markets 3.4 million hogs a
year. He also owns a 4,400 head wean-to-finish operation.
Nationally, Nelson is completing his first three-year term on the
National Pork Board. He serves on the Checkoff’s Domestic Marketing
Committee, Trade Committee and Budget Committee. He has served on
the Animal Welfare and Audit Committees and is 2005 graduate of the
Pork Leadership Academy. At the state level, he serves on the Iowa Pork
Producers board of directors, and the finance, membership, leadership
and animal well-being committees. He is a member of the Kossuth
County Pork Producers and the Humboldt County Farm Bureau.
Nelson outlined three issues facing the pork industry: 1) pulling together all the agriculture
groups to speak as one to promote trust and image; 2) stabilizing profitability in the industry
through increased demand, not downsizing; 3) leveraging the limited dollars to keep productive
research moving the industry forward.
Nelson lists his strengths as creating a positive environment and getting people on the same
page. He has had extensive experience in developing people and teams to operate at high levels
with people working together well. He is ready to stand up and defend the U.S. pork industry.
He is an Operation Main Street speaker and conducts interviews with the media talking about
the positives of the pork industry. He is seeking this position because he believes the current
vision of the National Pork Board is more focused and is hitting the critical needs of the industry
and he wants to see that vision through with another three-year term.
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Karen Richter • Montgomery, MN
Karen Richter owns a wean-to-finish operation with 600 hogs and
contracts 3,000 gilts as part of their feeder-to-finish operation. She also
raises corn, soybean, and wheat on 550 acres.
Nationally, Richter is completing her first three-year term on the National
Pork Board. She chairs the Board’s Administrative Committee and serves
on the Checkoff’s Animal Welfare and Pork Products Committees. She
has chaired the State and National Relations Taskforce and the 2009/10
Nominating Committee. She has also served on the Checkoff’s Audit and
Resolutions Committees. Richter served on the Minnesota Pork Board
executive board where she held the office of president and secretary and
was the chair of numerous committees. Locally, she is active in the Le
Sueur County Pork Producers.
Richter feels that operating freedom and profitability are the major issues facing the pork
industry and is the main goal of the Checkoff and National Pork Board. She notes that over the
past 25 years, our Checkoff investment has been utilized to improve our product and to increase
product demand both domestically and globally, to educate consumers, industry partners and
producers, and to provide the scientific knowledge to continually make us better at what we do.
Richter believes her strengths are her ability to look at all aspects of an issue, consider various
perspectives, perception and outcomes, then to make a decision and implement a plan. She is
willing to stand up for the industry and first did so at county feedlot hearings (1995-1998). As a
trained Operation Main Street presenter, she has worked diligently to support the pork industry’s
practices and product throughout her local community, state and nationally.
Glen Walters • Barnesville, GA
Glen Walters is a partner in Walters Farms, a feeder pig-to-finish
operation that markets 15,000 hogs annually. He also grazes cattle on
450 acres of winter wheat and rye.
Nationally, Walters has served as Pork Act Delegate. At the state level he
has served as vice president of the Georgia Pork Producers Association
and received the Governor’s Environmental Stewardship Award in 2006.
He also is a member of the Georgia Agri-Leaders, Georgia Cattlemen’s
Association and Georgia Army National Guard.
Walters outlined three issues facing the industry: 1) Exports in the
global market capitalizing on the U.S. competitive advantage in
pork production; 2) Effective marketing and consumer awareness
communication; 3) Production/environmental research development using fewer natural
resources. He also thinks that the main goal of the Checkoff and the National Pork Board is to
prioritize the spending to create a collaborative industry that will maintain dominance in the
world market.
Walters describes himself as analytical. He is not afraid to make tough decisions. In 2008, his
family farm transitioned from 30 years of growing a 1,000 sow farrow-to-finish production site to
contract feeding because of issues the pork industry is struggling to balance today. He is willing
to stand up for the U.S. pork industry to talk to people about misconceptions of pork and the
production industry. He is seeking this position to serve an industry that has provided him with
a comfortable, fulfilling lifestyle in which to raise his family.

Ranking of Pork Board Candidates by Category
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Candidate Name
(Listed
Alphabetically)
Industry
Knowledge
Pork Board/Checkoff
Knowledge
Leadership
Communication Attitude/Passion/
Commitment
Score † Rank Score † Rank Score † Rank Score † Rank Score † Rank
James Coates, KY 7.92 5 6.64 6 8.57 8 8.35 4 8.28 6
Randy Curless, IN 7.71 6 6.64 6 12.71 5 7.28 6 7.42 7
Roy Henry, KS 8.14 4 8.21 4 14.85 4 7.57 5 8.57 4
Jan Miller, NE 7.0 0 7 7.0 0 5 11.00 7 7.0 0 7 8.57 4
Henry Moore, NC 9.00 2 9.50 1 15.00 3 9.00 1 9.07 3
Conley Nelson, IA 9.21 1 9.28 2 15.42 2 8.71 2 9.28 2
Karen Richter, MN 8.85 3 9.21 3 17.85 1 8.57 3 9.35 1
Glen Walters, GA 7.0 0 7 6.42 8 12.71 5 6.42 8 7.42 7
† Averaged.
Criteria evaluated in each of 5 categories
to assess level of relevant experience:
1. Industry Knowledge – Big Picture (10 pts. max)
a. Agriculture in General
b. Pork production knowledge
c. Global view/exports
d. How US pork industry/chain works
e. Structure of US pork industry
2. Pork Board, Checkoff Knowledge, programs,
ideas (10 pts. max)
a. Pork Act/Order general knowledge/
awareness
b. Limitations of Pork Act, requirements on
Pork Board
c. Understanding of role of checkoff
d. Checkoff vs. non-checkoff sensitivity
e. NPPC role vs. Pork Board; who served
f. Pork Forum knowledge; role of Delegates
g. Website awareness/Pork Board program
knowledge
3. Leadership - Active Involvement/Experience
(20 pts. max)
a. Pork Board – (4 pts max)
b. Pork: State President, National Committee
chair (3 pts max)
c. Pork: State Board, National Committee mbr.
(3 pts max)
d. Other organization Nat. Committee or State
Presidents (3 pts max)
e. Local involvement: School, church, co-op,
etc. (2 pts max)
f. Discretionary pts for overall leadership (5
pts max)
4. Communications (10 pts. max)
a. Effectively conveys his/her message
b. Understands subject
c. Good listener, provides feedback
d. Provides good examples to clarify his/her
meaning or intent
e. Will find a way to have you understand his/
her message
5. Attitude: Passion and commitment to the
pork industry (10 pts. max)
a. Positive proactive approach to industry
issues
b. Has taken initiative to address issues
c. Enthusiastic about the industry
d. Participates because they want to, not
because their state sent them
e. Has been, and is willing to continue to be a
spokesperson for the pork industry
f. Is willing to stand up and represent the
industry well, either formally or informally

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The 2011 Nominees
for Pork Board Nominating Committee
James Lamb • Clinton, NC
James Lamb is contract grower with 3,040 wean-to-feed pigs and markets
22,000 hogs annually. He raises Bermuda hay and millet grazed on 10 acres.
He also works fulltime as an Environmental Specialist for Prestage Farms, Inc.
Lamb is a graduate of the Pork Checkoff’s Pork Leadership Academy. He also is
a North Carolina Pork Council board member.
Lamb believes one of the major issues facing the pork industry is high input
costs. With the down economy, we can’t afford to pass the cost on to the
consumer and if we are not profitable, we can’t stay in business. The other issue facing the pork
industry is the increasing age of today’s farmer. If farmer age increases along with demand,
we will eventually run out of producers. He believes the role of the Checkoff and the National
Pork Board is to assist producers in dealing with the impacts of high costs, educating producers,
extending information to them to help them be most efficient in their operations, and providing
other outreach to them.
Lamb is willing to stand up for the U.S. pork industry. He cites as an example the interview he did
the foreign press defending the pork industry after the H1N1 scare.
Dwight Potter • Cedar City, UT
Dwight Potter is the general manager of Circle Four Farms and Murphy
Brown Yuma Colorado, which has 100,000 sows and markets 1,300,000 hogs
annually.
Potter is the president elect for the Utah Pork Producers Association and serves
on the board of directors. He is a member of the Utah Farm Bureau and the
American Institute of CPA’s.
Potter identified three issues that are facing the industry. The first issue is
costs. The volatility in corn and other ingredient prices have significantly hurt the industry in the
last few years. Secondly, the demand and market value in an era of increasing costs is an issue.
And lastly, environmental, animal welfare and human health (antibiotics) concerns, especially
educating the public on the good that we are doing and the myths that are out there.
Potter is willing to stand up and defend the U.S. pork industry. He recently worked with Utah
producers to produce over 3,200 comments on GIPSA.

John Rauser • Toston, MT
John Rauser is the owner of Rauser Durocs a farrow-to-finish and seedstock
operation with 21 sows and markets 300 hogs annually.
Nationally, Rauser has served as a Pork Act Delegate for 14 years. At the state
level he served as president and vice president of the Montana Pork Producers
Council and served on the Executive Board. Locally, he has been a member
of the Broadwater County Rural Fire District Board for 10 years, the Montana
Bankers Association for 10 years, and 4-H leader for 14 years.
Rauser believes that profitability is the most important issue facing the pork industry followed
by industry image, animal welfare, pork promotion and environment. He thinks the goal of the
Checkoff and the National Pork Board should be to promote the pork industry via the organization’s
mission and strategic plan of work while following the Act and the Order. He also notes one also
needs to understand that if the strategic plan is not working, it needs to be re-evaluated to optimize
the use of Checkoff dollars.
Rauser is willing to stand up for the U.S. pork industry. He believes it is very important that the
people of the United States understand and realize that pork producers are an integral part of the
entire agriculture industry.
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Ranking of
Nominating Committee Candidates by Category
Candidate Name Industry Pork Board/Checkoff
Attitude/Passion/
Leadership Communication
(Listed Knowledge Knowledge
Commitment
Alphabetically) Score † Rank Score † Rank Score † Rank Score † Rank Score † Rank
James Lamb, NC 7.92 2 7.42 2 9.35 3 7.64 2 8.71 1
Dwight Potter, UT 8.21 1 6.42 3 10.85 2 8.42 1 7.71 3
John Rauser, MT 7.28 3 7.71 1 11.42 1 7.57 3 8.14 2
† Averaged.