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Schwartz, Ruen, and Bang elected officers
The Swine Health Information Center welcomed two new board members during their meeting held on July 29-30, 2024. Seth Krantz, DVM, Tosh Farms, and Jay Miller, DVM, The Maschhoffs, began their terms. Founding board member Daryl Olsen, DVM, AMVC, and Russ Nugent, PhD, concluded their service. Nugent joined the SHIC Board of Directors in 2021 and served as president for the year just completed. He was honored for his service with a plaque during SHIC’s June board meeting.
The new SHIC Board of Directors held an election of officers as well. Mark Schwartz, Schwartz Farms, was chosen to lead the SHIC Board as its chair. Paul Ruen, DVM, Fairmont Veterinary Clinic will be the vice chair for the organization and Kent Bang will again serve as secretary/treasurer. Other board members are Joseph Dykhuis, Gene Noem, Jeremy Pittman, DVM, and Pete Thomas, DVM. Megan Niederwerder, DVM, PhD, is SHIC’s executive director and Lisa Becton, DVM, MS, DACVPM, serves as associate director.
New Board Members
Seth Krantz discovered his passion for pigs and the swine industry while in college at the University of Tennessee – Martin. Summer jobs, including at Tosh Farms, and other work experience gave him an appreciation of not only pigs but the people who raise and care for them, leading to veterinary school at the University of Tennessee – Knoxville. After spending two years in practice with Carthage Veterinary Service, Krantz took the opportunity to return home to Tennessee as veterinarian at Tosh Pork. During his career, Krantz has appreciated SHIC’s mission and deliverables to the industry.
Jay Miller grew up on a central Illinois farm and was very active in 4-H and FFA including a focus on raising and showing cattle. While at vet school at Kansas State University, he discovered an interest in pigs and the swine industry. Miller returned to Illinois where he worked at a traditional mixed animal practice then shifted to become a swine consultant. When it was time to move back closer to home, Miller established his own mixed animal practice which grew to have multiple locations and include five veterinarians.
While serving as a swine consultant, Miller met the team at The Maschhoffs, LLC, which launched a 16-year span of serving them as an advisor before joining them full-time as the director of health. This led to Miller becoming their vice president of health and operations then, in October 2023, president and CEO of the organization.
Founding Board Member Daryl Olsen
Olsen saw the need and potential for SHIC when established in 2015. A member of its board of directors from day one, Olsen also served as the organization’s president for eight years. “In the very short time we’ve been in existence, we have come to play such a vital role in helping defend the health of our industry. I recommend people evaluate our performance. You’re going to understand that since receiving initial funding from the National Pork Board, we have filled a void and been very successful. We’re committed to protecting the US pig population,” he observed.
During his tenure with SHIC, Olsen credits his fellow board members, working group members, and staff for helping reach the goals set out when it was created. “I have been able to work with great people,” he remarked. “Paul and Megan are outstanding. And the board members I’ve served with have been great.”
While honored to be part of SHIC’s growth and contributions to the swine industry, Olsen believes having new board members adding their perspective and expertise is appropriate. Plus, he says, he will be able to be involved in the industry in new places.
To recognize his service to SHIC and the swine industry, Olsen was honored at the recent SHIC board meeting by current board president Mark Schwartz with a presentation and plaque.
August 8, 2024 - SHIC
