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Ivan Alvarado
Associate Director, Strategic Development & Innovation - Poultry of Merck Animal HealthDr. Alvarado obtained his Veterinary Medicine degree in Colombia and has been practicing poultry medicine for over 20 years, starting as a commercial layer and broiler-breeder veterinary supervisor in Colombia. After finishing his Master, Doctoral and Post-Doctoral studies at the University of Georgia, Dr. Alvarado joined Lohmann Animal Health as a Technical Services Veterinarian in the U.S.. In 2012, Dr. Alvarado joined Merck Animal Health as a Global Director of Technical Services and became the Director of the U.S. Poultry Technical Services Team in 2013. During the last years, Dr. Alvarado has been part of the U.S. Strategic Development and Innovation Team. Dr. Alvarado is an active member of AVMA, AAAP, and ACPV, currently serving as a member of AAAP Board of Directors.
Scott Black
NA Broiler Specialist at Cobb Vantress, LLCScott is a Technical Advisor for Cobb Vantress, he offers advice and expertise in the management of the Cobb products for industry professionals from contract growers to corporate level managers. He has 24 years’ experience from Seaboard Farms, Con Agri, Pilgrim’s Pride and Cobb Vantress. He is a graduate of The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga with a degree in Business and a degree in Human Resources. He has been with Cobb Vantress for 13 years and has traveled to 19 different countries in his role as technical advisor.
Chance Bryant
Director North America Technical Services of Cobb Vantress, LLCChance Bryant is a professional in the poultry industry employed at Cobb-Vantress, LLC. as the Director of N.A. Technical Services. Chance has 34+ years of experience with hatcheries, breeders and broilers in the Live Production sector of the chicken business, and is responsible for the N.A. Technical Team, supporting Cobb’s customers. Graduating from Arkansas Tech University in 1990 with a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Business, Chance started his career at George’s Inc. In 1997, He joined Tyson Foods and worked there 10.5 years in various Broiler and Breeder positions, serving as a Breeder/Hatchery Mgr for one of Tyson’s Complexes when he transitioned to Cobb. In 2007, Chance moved to Cobb-Vantress, LLC. Over the years he has served in various capacities in the Technical Service group and now is over all N.A. Technical Service. He resides on his family farm in northwest Arkansas where he raises commercial beef cattle.
Jake Carlson
Veterinarian at Select GeneticsDr. Jake Carlson is a technical services veterinarian for Select Genetics, overseeing turkey health and welfare for their Missouri, Illinois and Wadesboro, North Carolina operations. Dr. Carlson completed his undergraduate studies at California State University, Fresno and received his DVM from Kansas State University. He first became interested in turkey production while working for a commercial turkey grower for Foster Farms and his interest grew further after spending time as an intern with the National Turkey Federation in Washington DC. A California native, Dr. Carlson enjoys trout fishing in the glacial lakes of the Sierra Buttes, hiking, scuba diving and staying active. He currently resides in Republic, Missouri with his wife, who is also a veterinarian, and their pets.
Gerardo Casco
President at AgradigmGerardo is the President at Agradigm Inc., a provider of ingredients and technical services to the national and global food industry. At Agradigm, Gerardo has established clear communication channels that enable him to have honest and direct conversations with his customers and provide them with effective solutions. Gerardo obtained his M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Poultry Science at Texas A&M University. During his research career, he investigated alternatives to phosphates in marination, poultry meat quality issues, and clean-label antimicrobials. He also offered consulting services to national account companies. Gerardo is familiar with plant operations and has long-standing experience in managing marination and IQF lines for national brands. Gerardo’s strong problem-solving skills have enabled him to develop functional blends that are sodium-restricted as well as blends that meet customers' specific functionality needs.
Travis Cigainero
Veterinarian at Ceva Animal HealthTravis received his DVM from Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine. From there, he went to Tennessee and joined a mixed animal practice. After a year in practice, Dr. Cigainero was awarded an intern-faculty position at Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine small animal teaching hospital. He later moved back to Texas as a mixed animal practitioner in Pittsburg, Texas for 6 years. In 1990, Travis joined Pilgrim’s Pride where he remained for 24 years in roles ranging from service technician to corporate veterinarian. His responsibilities included supporting production and health of broilers, breeders, commercial layers as well as processing in the U.S. and Mexico. He “chose” to continue servicing at least one farm his entire career at Pilgrim’s to “keep it real” and stay grounded. In 2016, he joined Ceva Animal Health as part of a diverse veterinary technical group where he remains today and also serves as chairman of the U.S. Poultry and Egg Research Committee.
Juanfra DeVillena
Senior VP of Quality Assurance & Food Safety at Wayne Sanderson FarmsDr. Juan “Juanfra” DeVillena (Ph.D.) is a renowned food safety professional with well-rounded experience in the poultry industry. He started in the poultry industry working as a Research Assistant at the Food Safety Laboratory at the University of Maryland, Nutrition and Food Science Department. He completed his antibiotic resistant research in poultry at the U.S. FDA - Center for Veterinary Medicine in Maryland and later worked for Perdue Farms in Delaware, as Production Supervisor and FSQA Supervisor. He has been working for Wayne-Sanderson Farms (currently the third largest poultry producing in the USA) since 2004 in various roles with increasing responsibility, starting as a QA Supervisor, QA Manager, Plant Manager, Operations Manager at the Danville, AR and Pendergrass, GA complex; Director of Quality Assurance and Food Safety and Vice President of Quality Assurance and Food Safety, before moving into his current role of Senior Vice President of Quality Assurance and Food Safety. Juanfra received his B.S. in Food Science and his professional degree in Food Engineering from the Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina in Lima, Peru; his master’s degree (M.S.) in Food Science from the University of Maryland and in 2022 received his doctorate degree (Ph.D.) in Animal Science from Texas Tech University, receiving a nomination for the “Outstanding Research Award”. Juanfra is a devoted lecturer at international forums & conferences as well as at prestigious Universities such as Auburn University, University of North Georgia, Texas Tech University, University of Georgia, and University of Arizona. Juanfra has served as the chairman for the Advisory Committee to the Agricultural Technology Research Program at Georgia Tech and was featured as the “Science Profile” for the February 2021 edition of MeatingPlace magazine as well as in the MeatingPlace podcast #53 of February 2022. Juanfra also serves in several planning committees with the US Poultry & Egg Association.
Joel Derington
Owner/Board Certified Entomologist at Pest MedicJoel Derington is a Board Certified Entomologist and Owner of Pest Medic. Joel also owns a Marketing company in the Medical and Public Health field. Joel spent his early career as a pest control employee, business owner, technical services entomologist, and technical sales representative for such companies as ABC Pest Control, Waste Management, Terminix, and Ciba/ Novartis Animal Health. The recent years have been spent in sales in the medical field. He is enjoying being back in the pest management realm as a Pest management company owner, and consulting technical adviser and Dealer Relationship Manager for Remington Solar's Mosquito and insect misting systems. Joel lives in Tulsa, OK.
Shawn Dunn
Technical Service Manager at AviagenShawn has been in the Poultry Industry for twenty - eight years and for the last 10 years he has worked for Aviagen as a Technical Service Manager. Prior to working for Aviagen, he worked as a Field Service Representative for Hudson Foods and Tyson Foods. He then became a Breeder Manager for Wayne Farms and Keystone Foods. Shawn graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University with a degree in Animal Science.
Christa Goodell
AD, Technical Marketing- Poultry at Boehringer IngelheimChrista Goodell obtained her DVM from Kansas State University. She attended Iowa State, where she received her MS and PhD, focusing on preventive veterinary medicine and microbiology. Goodell's Swine career started as the Breeding Project Manager, starting up a sow farm in Kansas. Subsequent positions included PIC Health Assurance, Smithfield Hog Production Midwest Division, and IDEXX Laboratories Inc. For Boehringer Ingelheim, Goodell started on the Swine Team as a Technical Marketing Manager and transitioned to Technical Marketing on the Poultry Team in 2022.
Danielle Graham
Assistant Professor at University of ArkansasDr. Danielle Graham is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Poultry Science at the University of Arkansas. Graham’s research group focuses on identifying novel strategies to mitigate the transmission of bacterial and protozoal pathogens in poultry. The team’s turkey specific projects include evaluating potential drug targets, developing vaccines, and assessing the environmental persistence of pathogens, such as Histomonas meleagridis, Eimeria spp., Clostridium septicum, and Salmonella.
Matthew Jones
Director of Nutrition/Veterinarian at Southern Poultry Research GroupMatthew Kirkland Jones is an Athens, Georgia based poultry scientist using his backgrounds in veterinary medicine and nutrition to help facilitate tailored applied poultry experiments. Originally from the City of Roses (Thomasville, Georgia), Matthew traveled to the University of Georgia in Athens for undergraduate studies in 2008. After studying avian biology and biological science, he completed a doctorate in veterinary medicine from UGA as well as a PhD in Poultry Science. During his graduate studies, Matthew’s area of focus was the influence of various feed additives on digestibility and enteric health under the advisement of Dr. Adam Davis. Matthew worked as Director of Research and Technical Services for Azomite Mineral Products where he gained additional experience in applied research and feed manufacturing. His current role at SPRG requires involvement in many aspects of applied poultry research with an emphasis on challenge models allowing him to merge and further his understanding of both veterinary medicine and nutritional health. Married and a new father, Matthew’s primary interest outside of work is spending time with family. Time permitting, he also enjoys gardening and spending time outdoors.
Peter Klaich
National Sales at Shapiro Enterprises LLCA graduate of University of New York at Buffalo, BA and AA in Pre-law, Trinidad State College, CO. Mr. Klaich’s well-seasoned background in packaging is a result of his tenure with the American Can Company. Mr. Klaich is highly experienced in the development and implementation of domestic and international strategic marketing plans, supporting commercialization of new technology such as compostable liners, Heritage Bag Companies BioTuf™ , BioBag, & EcoSafe compostable bag technology as Director of Biodegradable Products, with extensive worldwide pull-through marketing experience within the global biodegradable polymer market arena. Mr. Klaich has been deeply entrenched in major organic diversion program development in the US and Canada including new biodegradable product development and ISO 14001 certification strategy and a stellar knowledge of all organic related processing technologies (All types of Composting technologies, Anaerobic digestion, Biothermic Digestion, Pyrolysis (Biochar). Board member and past Vice-Pres. of the Biodegradable Polymer Institute (BPI currently a board member), and Board Member and Committee Chair, US Composting Council. Mr. Klaich was a part of Garick’s Solutions Provider Team, providing diversion solutions for ICI (Institutional/Commercial/Industrial) market arena. Peter was appointed Vice President, Sustainability and Waste Reduction, for Oakleaf’s IEM (International Environmental Management) and has contributed extensively to Oakleaf’s sustainability and waste reduction initiatives and appeared on CNBC “Inside Business” after receiving the WRAP Recycling Award in the state of California. Considered and expert in the field, Mr. Klaich has developed over 2000 organic diversion program development/initiatives in the US including 7-Eleven, Walmart NA, & several large grocery store chains to name a few.
Ted Lankford
Senior Vice President-Poultry at Morris & Associates, Inc.Ted Lankford is originally from North Wilkesboro in the foothills of North Carolina. He is the third generation of his family to work in the poultry industry. His father and grandfather both worked for Holly Farms, now Tyson foods. Ted graduated from North Carolina State University in 1996 with a degree in poultry science. After many years working in production for Tyson foods, ConAgra Poultry and Pilgrims Pride, he joined Morris and Associates as the senior VP of Poultry in 2014.
Tomi Obe
Professor at University of ArkansasDr. Obe is an Assistant Professor of poultry food safety and microbiology at the Department of Poultry Science at the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture. She has a background in pre- and post-harvest poultry food safety and microbiology coupled with the experience of working in the poultry industry and currently uses her research to answer questions/concerns facing the industry on strategies to mitigate food borne pathogens. Dr. Obe’s research focuses on applied poultry food safety aimed at evaluating ways to understand and control Salmonella and Campylobacter throughout poultry production continuum.
Ashley Peterson, Ph.D
Senior VP of Scientific & Regulatory Affairs at National Chicken CouncilAs senior vice president of scientific and regulatory affairs, Dr. Peterson’s responsibilities at the National Chicken Council include providing scientific and technical expertise on a variety of topics including food safety, poultry inspection, and broiler health and welfare. She oversees regulatory policy development and scientific initiatives within the regulatory agencies in Washington, D.C. and represents industry views on policies impacting the broiler industry. Prior to joining the council, Peterson worked for the United Egg Producers and has served both as the director of legislative affairs and director of regulatory affairs at the American Meat Institute, where her responsibilities included environment, sustainability, and animal welfare. A native of Kentucky, Peterson came to Washington, D.C., as a Congressional Science Fellow in the U.S. House of Representatives, working on agricultural policy. She earned her Ph.D. in Animal Science from the University of Maryland, her Master of Science in Animal Science from Michigan State University and her Bachelor of Science from the University of Kentucky.
Jason Price
National Technical Support Manager at LiphatechJason Price is a seasoned professional with a robust background in agriculture and animal health. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Agriculture Business with minors in Agriculture Economics and Agriculture from Northeast Louisiana University. Jason began his career at LSU AgCenter as a Research Associate in Plant Pathology Research, where he honed his skills in agricultural sciences. Transitioning into the poultry industry, Jason gained extensive experience over two decades with ConAgra Foods, Pilgrims Pride, and Foster Farms. His roles evolved from Broiler Tech to Breeder Tech, and eventually to Breeder Superintendent, where he demonstrated leadership and expertise in managing poultry breeding operations. In 2019, Jason joined Liphatech AG, a leading company in animal health solutions, as the National Technical Support Manager for Animal Health. In this role, he leverages his deep knowledge and practical experience to provide technical expertise and support to clients nationwide. Additionally, Jason serves as the Central Gulf Coast Sales Representative, further expanding Liphatech's market presence and ensuring top-notch customer service in the region.
Marco Quiroz
Senior Manager, US Poultry Technical Services at ZoetisDr. Marco A. Quiroz has a distinguished 30-year career in the poultry industry, focusing on preventive medicine. As Senior Manager of US Poultry Technical Service at Zoetis, he optimizes In Ovo and Spray Vaccination techniques. Throughout his career, he has held various roles in technical service, R&D, product management, and marketing at companies like Zoetis, Novus International, and Intervet. Dr. Quiroz has spoken at scientific events in over 20 countries and published several papers, including peer-reviewed articles and two patents. He earned his DVM from UNAM in 1992, he completed his Avian Medicine Residency there in 1993 and completed further executive education at the University of Minnesota in 2010.
Travis Schaal
Senior Key Account Manager, Poultry at Boehringer IngelheimDr. Travis Schaal serves as a Senior Key Account Manager with Boehringer Ingelheim, working with egg layer producers across the US. He previously worked for an egg layer primary breeder where he supervised farm and hatchery operations globally, and provided technical support related to biosecurity, animal welfare, and flock health programs. Dr. Schaal received an Honors B.S. degree in Animal Sciences and his D.V.M. from Oregon State University, and board certification as a Diplomate of the American College of Poultry Veterinarians.
Daran Stovall
Deputy District Manager at USDA FSISDr. Daran “Curtis” Stovall is a Deputy District Manager in Springdale District for USDA Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS), Office of Field Operations (OFO). Dr. Stovall has been with FSIS for 24 years. Dr. Stovall grew up on a small farm in rural western Kentucky. He attended the University of Kentucky as an undergraduate and received his DVM degree in 1991 from Auburn University. Upon graduation, he was employed in rural mixed animal practice in western Kentucky until 1998. In 1998, he relocated to Conway AR and was in small animal practice until 2000 when he joined FSIS. After 3 years as a Supervisory Public Health Veterinarian in a young chicken slaughter in Robards, KY, Dr. Stovall took a promotion to a Frontline Supervisor position and returned to Conway, AR. He remained in that position until December of 2020 when he promoted to his current role as Deputy District Manager in Springdale, AR.
Evan VanBeusekom
Veterinarian at Hendrix GeneticsEvan VanBeusekom is the Manager of Veterinary Services for the United States at Hybrid LLC, part of Hendrix Genetics. Raised on a small farm in Minnesota, he grew up with hands-on experience in poultry, lamb, and dairy cow farming. He earned his degree in Animal Science and a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) from the University of Minnesota. Evan began his career at Jennie-O and later worked in the allied industry before joining Hybrid LLC. Passionate about problem-solving in poultry production, he is dedicated to supporting producers and farmers. He currently stays busy managing disease control, raising club calves and lambs, and volunteering with 4-H and other youth programs.
