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New NRA President Looking Forward Nancy Foster is eager to bring her years of working with Washington, DC, lawmakers to her new position as president of the National Renderers Association (NRA), and looks forward to new challenges and opportunities working for the rendering industry. “Renderers provide a highly essential role to our country and our economy,” she commented. “And I love policy issues.” Foster assumed her new role on November 5, 2013, taking the helm from Tom Cook, who retires at the end of this year after 16 years as NRA president. “Tom has done a great job and I want to build on that,” Foster stated, adding that she looks forward to working with the strong staff already in place. “I’m excited to lead NRA and contribute to the betterment and profitability of our industry.” Coming from a background in crops and nutrition, Foster worked with livestock producers as vice president of public affairs for the American Soybean Association. Most recently, she served as president and chief executive officer of the U.S. Apple Association, directing lobbying, public relations, crisis communications, and industry information programs to promote profitable apple production and marketing. She has worked for the United States Secretary of Agriculture and managed national lobbying programs for the pesticide, dietetics, and soybean industries. Foster graduated from Smith College and studied at Cornell University. “I’m impressed with NRA’s proactive approach,” she shared. “I firmly believe in telling your message before someone else does.” Foster also knows the personal connections she’s made in Washington, DC, over the years give her the credibility and trust needed to represent a trade organization effectively to government regulators. While president of the U.S. Apple Association, Foster was instrumental in persuading the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to avoid unobtainable new arsenic levels in apple juice in new regulations just proposed this past summer. She has also worked with FDA on the new Food Safety Modernization Act. Foster recognizes the value of these relationships and the ones already established by Cook while moving NRA and its members forward in the coming years. R Is Tramp Metal A Problem? Remove tramp metals from your protein mixes before shipping them to your customer with Bunting self cleaning bulk load out magnets. Pre Breaker, Press, and other magnets for rendering processes available as well. (800) 835-2526 buntingmagnetics.com ©2013 Bunting® Magnetics Co. Thanks also go to those individuals who have served as chairman and vice chairman of NRA’s various committees, including the executive committee. I especially want to thank Hamilton, Tim Guzek of Sanimax, Tim Carlson from Hormel Foods, Gus Wintzer of G.A. Wintzer and Sons, and Duane Anderson from Farmers Union Industries who served on the search committee for NRA’s new president. It was a tough job since there were several great candidates, but, ultimately, they collectively made the best selection to lead the association over the coming years. Next, I want to thank the folks who work so hard for the NRA members throughout the year in operating the association and representing the rendering industry. While there is a staff of six in NRA’s offices in Alexandria, VA, there are quite a few more key individuals when you look throughout the United States and other parts of the globe, including Animal Protein Producers Industry program coordinator Dara John, convention coordinator Marty Covert, Washington consultant Steve Kopperud, and European consultant Bruce Ross. NRA’s full-time staff members deserving thanks are Barbara Alexander, administrative assistant and office manager; Jessica Meisinger, director of Communications, Science, and Education; Kent Swisher, vice president of International Programs; German Davalos, regional director for Latin America, and his assistant Lucy Cano; Dr. Peng Li, regional director for Asia, and his administrative assistant Teresa Hon, who has been with NRA for over 30 years. A big thanks to Dr. David Meeker, senior vice president of Scientific Services, who plays one of the most important roles in the rendering industry since he is our face when dealing with all of the technical and disease issues that the industry must address. Last, but certainly not least, a special thanks to Tom Cook, NRA president for the past 16 years who is retiring at the end of this year. His strength is leading and retaining a talented staff to serve the NRA membership and he has done this job well. Thank you, Tom, for your dedication to NRA and the industry. We all wish you well in your relocation to Kansas City, MO, and retirement. R www.rendermagazine.com Render December 2013 21


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