Akridge appointed interim vice provost for engagement
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — A Purdue University agricultural economist has been named the school’s interim vice provost for engagement. Jay T. Akridge, the James and Lois Ackerman Professor of Agricultural Economics and director of the Center for Food and Agricultural Business, begins his duties Aug. 1. He will lead Purdue’s efforts to use university resources to address economic development and other issues affecting the state’s prosperity and quality of life. He will work directly with Indiana’s leaders, the business community and citizens to find ways for Purdue to advance that mission.
Akridge will also help communities throughout the state develop technology parks and promote the growth of high-paying jobs. Another goal is to advance initiatives such as the Technical Assistance Program, which last year helped 536 Indiana companies implement new technologies.
He will work with the Purdue Center for Regional Development to assist with strategic economic development planning on a regional basis. Additional programs under his supervision will include the Office for Continuing Education and Conferences and Science Bound, which assists Indianapolis Public Schools students in preparing for a science-related degree at Purdue.
In 1996, he received Purdue’s highest teaching honor, the Charles B. Murphy Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching Award, and was named a University Faculty Scholar in 2000. In 2003 he was added to the Purdue Book of Great Teachers, and was recognized with the USDA’s Food and Ag Science’s Excellence in Teaching Award.
Akridge earned his bachelor’s degree in agriculture and business administration from Murray State University in 1982 and earned his master’s and doctoral degrees in agricultural economics from Purdue in 1983 and 1986, respectively.
McCluer new director of NGFA regulatory affairs WASHINGTON, D.C. — The National Grain and Feed Assoc. (NGFA) has announced that Jess McCluer has joined its staff as director of regulatory affairs.
Prior to joining NGFA, McCluer was a program analyst at the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) Office of Outreach Services and Alliances from April 2003 to May 2007. During that time, he worked with trade associations, professional societies, academia, unions and government agencies to coordinate the implementation of national alliances and the development of compliance assistance resources, such as Web-based training tools.
NGFA, established in 1896, consists of 900 member companies from all sectors of the grain, feed, processing and exporting business that operate about 6,000 facilities nationwide and handle more than 70 percent of all U.S. grains and oilseeds.
McCluer’s responsibilities will include directing and managing the association’s wide-ranging operations programs for grain elevators, feed mills and grain processing plants.
He also will oversee activities regarding employee safety and industrial health, environmental issues, grain-handling facility design and equipment, grain inspection and weighing issues, and grain and feed quality.
New CAB vice president named
MEDINA, Ohio — Mark Polzer of Medina has been named vice president of business development for Certified Angus Beef LLC (CAB).
In his new role, Polzer is responsible for foodservice, retail, value-added product and international growth strategies. He will lead CAB’s team of regional account managers to provide customer service to more than 13,500 licensed business partners around the world.
Polzer came to CAB in 1998 as director of the foodservice division, which is on course to achieve its third consecutive year of record growth. He has more than 30 years of foodservice experience, including general sales manager at Becker Food Co. of Milwaukee, Wis., and various sales management roles with Oscar Mayer. At CAB, he has helped introduce foodservice cutting methods for filet of top sirloin and flatiron into retail and international markets. Polzer has also worked with value-added products staff to satisfy chef demand for convenience items.
Polzer will work with staff to introduce merchandising methods and training programs to meat managers, retail store employees, foodservice distributors and waitstaff. CAB also offers American Culinary Federation-accredited programs for chefs.
Cattlemen recognize industry leaders
OKEMOS, Mich. — Four Michigan individuals and an agriculture business were recognized for their contributions and dedication to the beef industry during the Michigan Cattlemen Assoc. (MCA) Summer Round-up.
MCA’s Member of the Year was awarded to Kevin Kirk of St. Johns. He is also a member of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Assoc. and has been dedicated to the beef industry for most of his career. He has served as director of MCA.
Dennis Peterson, a cow-calf producer from Belding, received the Young Cattleman of the Year award. He was elected to the MCA board of directors in 2005 and has served on the Nominating and Summer Round-up committees. John MacMaster, who owns and operates Apple Hill Angus with his family in Harrisville, received the Purebred Breeder of the Year award. He is director of the Michigan Angus Assoc. and a member of the MCA Bull Test Committee.
Cattle Businessman of the Year was awarded to Ken Blight, a partner in Blight Farms of Albion. He has served as a director of the Michigan Beef Industry Commission and is a director of MCA. United Producers, Inc. of St. Louis, Mich., was awarded Agribusiness of the Year. |