Meat Industry Hall of Fame chooses class of 2012

The Meat Industry Hall of Fame has announced the class of 2012, chosen from a list of more than 60 nominees including industry executives, scientists, innovators and association leaders from all sectors of the livestock, meatpacking and poultry processing industries.
“Our trustees and members have chosen an elite group of leaders who have not only achieved remarkable business success but have spent their careers contributing to their communities and the progress of the entire industry," said Chuck Jolley, president and founder of the hall of fame. This year's class includes:

• Bill Fielding, executive positions with Cargill Inc.; ConAgra Fresh Meat; Creekstone Farms Premium Beef LLC and Meyer Natural Foods
• Ellard Pfaelzer, Sr., Pfaelzer Bros. and Ellard “Butch” Pfaelzer, Jr., The Bruss Co.
• Fred Usinger, president, Usinger’s Famous Sausage
• Dave Theno, Ph.D., senior vice president, Jack in the Box and CEO, Gray Dog Partners Inc.
• Dave Wood, CEO, Harris Ranch
• Jim Hodges, executive vice president, American Meat Institute; president, American Meat Institute Foundation
• Mohammad Koohmarie, Ph.D., CEO, meat division, IEH Laboratories and Consulting Group
• Steve Krut, CEO (retired), American Association of Meat Processors
• Alfred "Al" Kober, retail director, Certified Angus Beef LLC, meat director, Clemens Supermarkets
• Bobby Hatoff, chairman, Allen Brothers
• Herb Lotman, founder, Keystone Foods
• Marvin J. Walter, Carriage House Meat & Provision Company; Ames Processed Foods Company Inc.; Webster City Custom Meats Inc. and W & G Marketing Company Inc.
The induction ceremony for the new Meat Industry Hall of Fame members will take place on Oct. 27 at the J.W. Marriott Hill Country near San Antonio, Texas. The dinner and presentation ceremony will be held in conjunction with the North American Meat Association Outlook Conference.