2018 National Youth Leadership Conference Speakers
Brenda Dismore
Brenda Dismore is an experienced meat scientist with 25 years of experience working for some of the most recognized meat companies in the United States. She is currently the Associated Director of Product Development for Tyson Foods. Brenda earned her bachelor’s degree in animal science, with a meat science concentration from the University of Illinois, in 1993. She then earned her master’s degree from Colorado State University in animal science, with a meat science concentration, in 1995. During her career, Brenda has developed over 50 new products from concept to commercialization. She is responsible for saving more than $20 million for her companies. Among her accomplishments, Brenda launched a full line of frozen protein breakfast products under the Jimmy Dean Delights banner, as well as the Ball Park Fully Cooked Beef Patties and Jerky. Brenda is involved in numerous activities that support and promote the agriculture industry. She has been an animal industry supporter her entire life being a 4-H and FFA member with her sheep production project still active with her family. A 25-year member of the American Meat Science Association, she was recognized in 2015 with their meat processing award. Whether she is encouraging her company to give back to the community, giving tours of the Tyson Discovery Center in Downers Grove, or mentoring the future of agriculture through 4-H and FFA, Brenda is a consummate promoter of the industry. Brenda lives in Somonauk, Ill. with her husband, Matt, and two sons, Brandon and Blake.
Chef Naikang Nuan
Chef Kang received his Bachelor of Science in Soil Science from the University of California Riverside. He is a graduate of The Culinary Institute of America, and is currently enrolled in the Food Science graduate program at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. He was trained at French Laundry, one of the top kitchens in United States. He started at the lowest entry level at French Laundry and finished as a sous chef for chef owner, Thomas Keller, Corey Lee, and Tim Hollingsworth. Before joining Tyson Foods, he was the Executive Chef for Iron Chef Morimoto in Napa, Calif., and has appeared on Iron Chef America as Chef Morimoto’s sous chef in the Holiday Tailgate battle. Chef Kang is an avid butcher, a life-long charcuterie enthusiast, and always has some sort of dry-aging meat hanging somewhere in the house. Chef Kang last served as the Executive Research & Development Chef for Tyson Foods before transitioning into his current role as Culinary Ninja at Tyson Innovation Lab. In this role, he gets to tackle some of today’s biggest food problems, utilizing Design Thinking. Chef Kang is a proud parent of 3 beautiful boys, along with his amazing wife, Megan, who is most accommodating to his drying curing meat hobby, and most understanding to why occasionally there are multiple hog carcasses to be found in the back of the family Toyota Prius.
Sheila Fowler
Sheila Fowler is an Assistant Principal at the Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences (CHSAS). Prior to her current position, Sheila served as the Agriculture Department Chair/Chapter FFA Adviser at CHSAS. Sheila has taught Basic Agricultural Science, Agricultural Careers and Leadership, and Animal Science. She holds a bachelor’s degree in crop sciences and a master’s degree in agricultural education from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and is also a National Board Certified Teacher. Sheila has a master’s in secondary administration and a principal licensure from Concordia University Chicago.
Dustin Baker
Dustin serves as the Deputy Director, Economics & Domestic Production Issues for the National Pork Producers Council. In this position, Baker works closely with Congress and federal agencies on matters such as the farm bill, mandatory price reporting and other issues related to buying and selling of hogs and pork. He produces a variety of economic forecasts through extensive data collection and analysis. Baker grew up on a livestock farm in St. Louis, Mich. He has a Master of Science in Applied Economics and Management with a focus in Public Policy Analysis from Cornell University and a holds a Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness Management with a specialization in Political Economy from Michigan State University.
Greg Krahn
Greg Krahn is originally from Cedarburg, Wis., where he grew up showing pigs through 4-H and the NJSA, and although Greg had a strong passion for livestock, it was the people he met and interacted with that motivated him to pursue a career in animal agriculture. Greg completed his bachelor’s degree in animal science from Western Illinois University where he was a member of livestock judging team, worked at the university swine farm, interned with The Maschhoffs and served as the Central Region Director for the NJSA Junior Board of Directors. After WIU, he pursued his graduate career at Iowa State University under the direction of Dr. Tom Baas and completed his master’s degree while managing the Al Christian Swine Teaching Farm. Greg was then hired as a Lecturer in the Department of Animal Science where he taught several undergraduate classes, advised students and was heavily involved in the Block and Bridle Club. Currently, Greg is working to complete his Ph.D. in animal science and is working on a mortality surveillance project in wean to finish pigs with The Maschhoffs.
Matt Murphy
Matt Murphy was born and raised just south of Chicago. Following high school, Matt attended the University of Illinois and completed a Bachelor of Liberal Arts and Sciences in Sociology with concentration in economics. However, his interest in the soft sciences did not lead to the professional standing that he had initially desired. He remained in Champaign, Ill., working in professional property management and multi-species feed manufacturing for the university’s Department of Animal Science. During his time at the university feed mill, he made several contacts within the College of Agriculture and, ultimately, made the difficult decision to return to school in pursuit of a degree in agricultural engineering. He continued working and attending classes part-time until the spring of 2013 when he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Technical Systems Management with minors in both crop science and animal science. While completing his second degree, Matt was accepted as an intern with both Monsanto and Dupont Pioneer in both production and research capacities. Following completion of his degree, Matt joined The Maschhoffs as a Research Manager. Leveraging his knowledge of the psychology of human interaction and his technical acumen in production systems, Matt emerged as a strong operating leader within The Maschhoffs and has since risen to the position of Director of Technical Operations. Within this role, he maintains oversight of purebred sire development and testing, a large-scale commercial test herd, and research and development operations. This scope of work includes the management of 10,000 sows, produces nearly 225,000 market hogs annually, requires the dedication of nearly 75 employees, and supports the evaluation of herd sires and new, innovative technologies. Matt has continued in his attempts to grow both professionally and in service roles, and has recently participated in the Illinois Agricultural Leadership Program and gained the designation of Certified Swine Manager – Reproduction/Wean to Finish. He is proud to be part of Illinois agriculture and stands firm as an advocate for Illinois pork production.
Josh Flint
Prior to joining The Maschhoffs, Josh Flint worked as a farm publication editor for numerous years. At The Maschhoffs, he is responsible for leading the company’s communication department and oversees the company’s talent acquisition strategy. A Missouri native, and graduate of Truman State University, Josh now lives in O’Fallon, Ill. He and his wife, Tiffany, have two children, Linus and Brooklyn.
Kristen Ewing
Kristen Ewing works as a Research Manager for The Maschhoffs. There she spends her time conducting research throughout the commercial production system. She has been with the company since 2013. Kristen was actively involved in the Illinois Junior Shorthorn Association, most recently serving as an advisor to the group. Now she continues her service with the Illinois Shorthorn Association, the Illinois Angus Auxiliary, and the Philanthropic Educational Organization (PEO). Kristen earned her Master of Animal Science from the University of Illinois and Bachelors of Science in Animal Science and Industry from Kansas State University.
Morgan Clinton
Morgan Clinton is a Production Manager for The Maschhoffs. Her role requires her to properly maintain the “ins-and-outs” of hog production on a daily basis. She currently manages a portfolio of approximately 86,000 head of swine, ranging from 3-week old weanling pigs to market hogs. She works directly with Production Partners, or family farm partners, to accomplish all goals set by The Maschhoffs. Before coming to work for The Maschhoffs, Morgan attended Southeast Missouri State University, where she attained her Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness and Animal Science. She currently lives by Mt. Vernon, Ill., where she also manages her family’s almost 150 year old farm and small business.
Tammy Miller
Tammy Miller serves as Agriculture Professor and coordinator of the Agriculture Business and Transfer programs at Joliet Junior College in Joliet, Ill. She also co-owns/operates Matt and Tammy Miller Showpigs, a 100-sow showpig and seedstock operation, with her husband Matt and 11 year old triplets, Hannah, Holden and Hayden. Tammy has judged livestock shows with an emphasis on swine and swine showmanship for over 20 years at many local, state and national shows including the National Barrow Show and the Fort Worth Stock Show, making her the first female to judge a major barrow show in the state of Texas. Tammy had a highly successful college judging career including being high individual at the National Barrow Show and the North American International Livestock Exposition in Louisville, Ky. and went on to coach the 1997 National Champion Illinois State 4-H Livestock Judging Team. Tammy is a past chair of the Adult Advisory Board for Team Purebred, the junior association for Berkshire, Chester White, Hereford, Poland China and Spotted swine, and is one of the original founders of the association. She recently accepted the superintendent role for the National FFA Livestock CDE. Tammy’s free time is spent exhibiting showpigs across the country with her family and volunteering with various 4-H, FFA, swine and church organizations.
Randy Bowman
Randy Bowman is the Director of Customer Support for The Maschhoffs. In this role he is leading a team to support technical needs within the breed to wean and wean to market flows. His team helps implement new technologies and is available for general support of the system. He also focuses on overseeing genetic improvement of the populations within the nucleus herds and boar studs. Prior to employment at The Maschhoffs, Randy was the general manager for Premier Swine Breeding Systems, a swine breeding stock company that supported national sales. He was also the managing editor of The Yorkshire Journal and was a field man for the Hampshire Swine Registry. Randy has his Bachelor of Science in Education from Western Illinois University.