NTF Chairman Says Change in Attitude Will be Needed to Address Numerous Issues
Walter “Gator” Pelletier, Butterball, LLC Elected 2009 NTF Chairman
Orlando, FL, February 7, 2009 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Sherrie Rosenblatt
Vice President of Marketing and Communications
202-898-0100 ext. 7227 srosenblatt@turkeyfed.org
The National Turkey Federation’s (NTF) board of directors today elected Walter “Gator” Pelletier to serve as the federation’s 2009 chairman. Pelletier is corporate secretary of Butterball, LLC, which is headquartered in Garner, N.C.
Pelletier said the numerous issues that the industry will face – balanced energy policy, food safety regulation, animal welfare, immigration reform and a brand new administration – will require a new industry attitude and a change in the manner in which the federation and the turkey industry operate.
During his acceptance speech, he quoted one of the company’s founders, Louis Maxwell, about the benefits of NTF: “Louis commented that while he recognized NTF did not know how to grow turkeys, he didn’t know how to work with the government on issues or get the industry to agree to speak with one voice. Makes for a pretty good team!”
Pelletier joined Goldsboro Milling Company, one of Butterball’s owners, in April 1981 and has worked in the turkey segment of the business since joining the company. His current responsibilities include managing all operating activities associated with live turkey production as well as Maxwell Farm’s managing partner of Butterball. Along with being corporate secretary for Butterball, Pelletier holds the titles of president of Maxwell Farms, Inc., vice president of Goldsboro Milling Company, and secretary-treasurer of Maxwell Foods, Inc.
During his 27-year employment with Goldsboro Milling Company, Pelletier moved through the ranks from breeder manager, breeder complex manager and live production manager to his current position as manager of turkey operations.
He is a graduate of North Carolina State University where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in chemical engineering.
Along with his involvement in NTF, Pelletier is also second vice president of the North Carolina Poultry Federation.
During NTF’s Annual Convention, the board of directors also elected Yubert Envia, general manager, turkey division, Foster Farms, Inc, as vice chairman and Richard Huisinga, Willmar Poultry Company, Inc. as secretary-treasurer. Paul Hill, chairman, West Liberty Foods, assumes the position of immediate past-chairman.
During the convention, the board also reelected John Burkel, Northern Pride, Inc.; Gary Cooper, Cooper Farms; Randy Day, Perdue Farms; and Steve Willardsen, Cargill Meat Solutions to the Executive Committee (EC).
Newly elected to the EC were Jihad Douglas, Nicholas Turkey Breeding Farms and Carl Wittenburg, Protein Alliance, Inc.
After the board meeting, Petri Papinaho, Jennie-O Turkey Store and John Reicks, Sara Lee Foods were also appointed to the EC.
2009 Board of Directors
ALABAMA
Rebecca Bates Sloane
ARKANSAS
James Plyler
Tim Scanlan
Andy Southerly
Steve Willardsen
CALIFORNIA
Yubert Envia
Dan Huber
John Ross
COLORADO
Alice Johnson
Joe Nalley
CONNECTICUT, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS,
NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY,
NEW YORK, PENNSYLVANIA,
VERMONT
Dave Boyer
ILLINOIS
Robert Kauffman
INDIANA
Jay Houchin
Tom Schaffer
Ted Seger
IOWA
Tim Doyle
Paul Hill
MICHIGAN
John Janssen
Harold Walcott
MINNESOTA
Dave Burkel
John Burkel
Kim Gorans
Richard Huisinga
Petri Papinaho
Jim Trites
Gregg Veldman
MISSOURI
Greg Abbiatti
Tony Barnes
John Lenahan
John Reicks
NEBRASKA
Patrick Meuret
NORTH CAROLINA
Kerry Doughty
Bob Johnson
Ronnie Parker
Walter Pelletier
John Prestage
Scott Prestage
Keith Shoemaker
NORTH DAKOTA
Wally Wittenburg
OHIO
Gary Cooper
Eric Ludwig
SOUTH CAROLINA
Chris Krumrey
Lyle Olson
Ron Prestage
SOUTH DAKOTA
Tim Hofer
Rudy Waldner
TEXAS, OKLAHOMA
Wesley Carter
Keith Wingert
UTAH
Michael Christensen
Tracy Cook
VIRGINIA,
WEST VIRGINIA
Randy Day
Jim Mason
Tim Maupin
Steve Bazzle
WISCONSIN
Allen Behl
Dave Mills
DIRECTORS-AT-LARGE
Jose Cardenas
Jihad Douglas
Bill Hodge
Rich Hogrefe
Ron Kardel
Barry Kelly
Chad Larson
Dan Lennon
Gerald Lessard
Maury Ore
Don Smith
Jeff Sveen
Lynn Tenold
Allen Traywick
Bernie Treidl
Barry Uncles
Tony Volk
Carl Wittenburg
DIRECTORS EMERITUS
Bill Bates
Marvin DeWitt
G. Yan Ghazikhanian
Pete Hermanson
Janet Hermanson
Marilyn McAlpine
John McDade
Ray Norling
Martin Rich
Norm Rich
Richard Shinn
The National Turkey Federation is the advocate for all segments of the $8 billion U.S. turkey industry, providing services and conducting activities that increase demand for its member’s products. The federation also protects and enhances its member’s ability to effectively and profitably provide wholesome, high quality, nutritious turkey products.
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