United Animal Health Appoints New CEO and Chairman Of The Board
- November 11, 2015
- News
United Animal Health, Inc. announced today that John Swisher, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board, was named Chairman Emeritus of the company’s Board of Directors as of October 8, 2015. Doug Webel, Ph.D., previously Chief Operating Officer of the Animal Nutrition & Health Group of United Animal Health, assumed the role of President and Chief Executive Officer, and John Corbett assumed the role of Chairman of the Board.
John Swisher founded the company in 1956 as United Feeds and under his leadership the company has grown to over 340 employees and reaches 23 countries. After 60 years of industry leadership, Swisher has become an icon for what it means to be reputable and effective in agribusiness. He has served on the Boards of Directors of Indiana Pork Producers Association and the 4H Foundation and is one of only four recipients to receive both the Ernst & Young National Entrepreneur of the Year Award and be inducted into the Indiana Business Hall of Fame.
“These 60 years have been an amazing journey,” remarked Swisher. “I’ve always considered myself good at finding talented people. I couldn’t be happier with our leadership team at United Animal Health and am confident in the next 60 years of the organization.”
Webel joined the company in 1998 as a Swine Nutritionist, taking the role of Director of R & D in 2004, as Vice President of Emerging Technologies in 2005 and Chief Operating Officer of Animal Nutrition & Health in 2008.
“Early in my career, I learned that I share the same philosophy as John,” explained Webel. “He is a great leader and I look forward to maintaining the culture and advancing the business through John’s vision. We come to work every day to add value to our customer’s business and every decision we make is rooted in that philosophy.”
One of John Swisher’s key objectives is the continuation of United Animal Health into generations beyond his own. With this in mind, and in keeping with the continuing evolution of the Company, the Board of Directors of United Animal Health made these executive appointments.
Additional changes in leadership included the promotion of Managing Director, Ellen Swisher Crabb to Vice Chairwoman; Trent Torrance to Vice President of Animal Nutrition & Health; and Steve Biddle to Vice President of Grain. Don Orr retired as President of United Animal Health at the end of May 2015, and will continue on its Board of Directors until May 2016 as President Emeritus.
About United Animal Health
United Animal Health, founded in 1956, is dedicated to providing research-based solutions that create value for its partners in animal agriculture. United Animal Health offers livestock nutrition and health products globally through the United Animal Health or affiliate brands. United Animal Health also merchandises grain and operates seven strategically located grain elevators. While the organization’s headquarters are in Sheridan, Indiana, the sales staff and team members stretch from the East Coast to the West to assist customers with their business needs. In total, the United Animal Health operation extends to 23 countries, including South Korea, the Philippines, and locations in South America and Europe. The company, originally known as United Feeds, set itself apart from the competition by intimately getting to know customers and understanding what they needed to be more successful. That guiding principle continues to be the foundation of United Animal Health. To learn more, visit JBSUnited.com