DES MOINES, Iowa — The National Pork Board (NPB), the producer-led and consumer-focused national Pork Checkoff organization, has named David Newman the organization’s new CEO effective September 1, 2025. Newman most recently served as NPB’s senior vice president of market growth. He joined the organization full-time in June 2023.
“After a thorough and thoughtful nationwide executive search process, we have found an exceptional and dedicated leader in agriculture to take the organization representing America’s nearly 60,000 pork producers into the future,” said Gordon Spronk, a Minnesota pig farmer, swine veterinarian and NPB’s board president. “David is no stranger to the pork industry. He has proven himself to be leadership-oriented, producer-focused and outcomes-driven when it comes to ensuring the pork industry is addressing the challenges and opportunities ahead of us. On behalf of the board, we have confidence in his character and capability to lead the organization, staff and industry into a productive and powerful next season for pork.”
Newman was previously a member of the NPB board of directors, serving as the board’s president for two terms in 2020 and 2021. He has also served as a member of the U.S. Meat Export Federation executive committee. Before joining NPB as staff, Newman received a doctorate in meat and animal science from North Dakota State University. He was also a faculty member at NDSU and later at Arkansas State University, serving as a leader in meat science programs and swine research, where he focused his academic work on meat quality. Along with his family, Newman owns and operates Newman Family Farms based in Myrtle, Missouri.
“It’s a privilege to work for and on behalf of pork producers,” said Newman. “We make a flavorful, nutritious product that is beloved by millions of people across the globe. Producers can be proud of that, and of the work their checkoff is doing to drive demand with new generations of consumers, ensure we have a healthy swine herd and help the industry anticipate and adapt to change. I am honored to be named CEO of the National Pork Board and to continue serving pork producers and the industry in an even greater capacity going forward.”
The NPB board appointed a committee in April to conduct the CEO search and represent a cross-section of pork industry expertise and perspectives. The committee was led by past NPB board president Al Wulfekuhle, a pig farmer from Iowa. The robust national search process included support from Kincannon & Reed, one of the nation’s leading global executive search firms focused on the food and agribusiness industry.
“I’m grateful to the selection committee for their time and commitment to serve pig farmers and help us determine the next leader of the National Pork Board,” said Spronk. “As a board, we have confidence in NPB staff continuing the great work that is already underway to deliver the goals in our strategic plan. In the fortieth year since the founding of the National Pork Board, the board and its officers, the new CEO and the NPB staff are well positioned to meet the needs of the next generation of our nation’s pork producers.”
U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) President and CEO Dan Halstrom issued the following statement on the announcement of Newman as the next CEO of the National Pork Board saying that “The National Pork Board has made an outstanding choice, and USMEF congratulates Dr. Newman on his appointment. USMEF has had numerous opportunities to work with Dr. Newman in his many pork industry leadership roles, so we know firsthand the expertise and experience he brings to this role. Dr. Newman knows the importance of both international and domestic demand for U.S. pork, and that it is critical to maximize both. We look forward to working closely with him and the entire Pork Board team to deliver value for U.S. producers.”
