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Strategic Planning Conference Highlights: Distinguished Service Award, Standing Committees

Published: Nov 06, 2014

Don Hutchens and Mark Jagels

Don Hutchens, who recently concluded a long career as executive director of the Nebraska Corn Board, received the USMEF Distinguished Service Award Thursday at the USMEF Strategic Planning Conference in Arlington, Virginia.

Established in 1991, USMEF’s Distinguished Service Award is given to an individual in the red meat industry who exemplifies the exceptional dedication and outstanding capabilities responsible for the federation’s success.

Hutchens joined the Nebraska Corn Board, a longtime USMEF member organization, in 1987. He spent two years with the Nebraska Department of Agriculture – including a stint as the agency’s director – before assuming the helm of the Nebraska Corn Board, where he quickly became active in USMEF.

Seiji Yazaki, president of Japanese restaurant chain Royal Host

“I chaired a USMEF communications committee back then that allowed me to become deeply involved in the organization’s strategic planning process,” he said. “This was extremely beneficial for me, because I was able to learn so much from some of the great leaders of the U.S. livestock and grain industries, as well as the packing and processing sectors.”

USMEF Chairman Mark Jagels, who represented the Nebraska Corn Board on the USMEF Executive Committee, says Hutchens’ involvement with USMEF definitely benefitted him and his fellow corn board members.

“From the time I first became a member of the Nebraska Corn Board, Don was always trying to push us – to stretch us past our comfort zone,” Jagels said. “He has always been a great proponent of investing checkoff dollars internationally and encouraging other organizations to do the same.”

At the awards luncheon, USMEF also honored Seiji Yazaki, president of Japanese restaurant chain Royal Host, for the company’s commitment to serving U.S. meat.

Thursday’s agenda was dominated by meetings of USMEF’s standing committees:

  • Beef and Allied Industries Committee
  • Pork and Allied Industries Committee
  • Exporter Committee
  • Feedgrain and Oilseeds Caucus

We will have more details on the committee discussions in next week’s Export Newsline.

USMEF members also received insights from international directors and staff on Thursday during breakout sessions focusing on the Asia Pacific region, Mexico, Central and South America, Europe, Russia and the Middle East.