Saunders International : Humphreys, Matsen Join Pork Board Leadership Team

The National Pork Board recently welcomed two new executives to its leadership team: Bryan Humphreys as vice president of producer, state and industry relations and Jacque Matsen as vice president of strategic communications.

Humphreys grew up on his family farm in Iowa. They raised pigs, corn and soybeans. After receiving his bachelor's degree from Iowa State University, he organized grassroots efforts and managed multiple political campaigns around the country.

In 2009, Humphreys joined the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) as director of grassroots. In his post, he encouraged pork producers to tell their stories and to interact with influencers and key decision makers. He also spent time in more urban areas educating elected officials and other influential decision makers about today's pork production practices.

In 2014, Humphreys became the executive vice president of the Ohio Pork Council, where he led efforts to address pressing social and environmental issues.

'Bryan is highly respected by pork producers in Ohio and his colleagues around the country,' said National Pork Board CEO Bill Even. 'Ohio Pork has led from the front in terms of innovation and consumer engagement under his leadership, and we're excited to have him bring a new approach to the national organization's producer and state outreach efforts.'

Matsen, an Ames, Iowa native, earned degrees in journalism and political science from Iowa State University. She comes to the Pork Board from the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA). She served as administrator of the marketing and communications division, which also includes the Iowa Tourism Office. In that role, she oversaw strategic marketing and communication efforts in support of IEDA's mission to strengthen economic and community vitality across the state.

Before joining IEDA, Matsen was a senior vice president in the Kansas City office of FleishmanHillard. She counseled clients on market developments for new products, crisis response and media engagement.

Prior to her agency experience, Matsen oversaw global public affairs for DuPont Pioneer (now Corteva Agriscience), where she managed issues such as biotech/GMO acceptance and was responsible for executive communications, thought leadership and traditional/social media efforts.

Matsen had joined Pioneer after spending more than 10 years at the National Cattlemen's Beef Association in Denver where she led beef industry responses to animal welfare videos, bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) and the use of lean, finely textured beef.

'Jacque's experience as a leader in ag communication will be invaluable to us as we launch 'Checkoff 4.0,'' Even said. 'Her experience in association, business and government communication, as well as shaping consumer perception about products and practices, will be vital to the pork industry as we face a dynamic, rapidly changing marketplace and increasing threats to production from foreign animal disease.'