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Home > About Us > Management

Management Team

Board of Directors

John B. Swisher - Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Founded United Feeds / JBS United: 1956
- Education:
  - B.S. Animal Science - University of Illinois, 1951
  - Honorary Ph.D. - Purdue University
- Honors Include:
  - Indiana Master Entrepreneur
  - National Entrepreneur of the Year
  - Indiana Business Hall of Fame
Donald E. Orr, Jr., Ph.D. - President

Joined JBS United: 1984
- Education:
  - Ph.D. Animal Husbandry and Institute of Nutrition - Michigan State University, 1975
  - M.S. Animal Industry - Penn State University, 1969
  - B.S. Animal Science - Purdue University, 1967
- Offices:
  - United-Liuhe Co., Ltd. Board of Directors
  - JBS United Board of Directors
  - General Manager, Nutrition Division
  - Vice President, Nutrition and Development
  - Asia Business Leader
- Professional Memberships:
  - Chairman, American Feed Industry Association (AFIA)
  - Board of Directors for the American Feed Industry Association
  - Director of Texas Tech Swine Research Center
  - American Society of Animal Science
  - American Registry of Professional Animal Scientists
  - Charter Diplomat American College of Agriculture
- Honors Include:
  - Distinguised Animal Science Alumnus - Penn State University, 2006
  - Alpha Gamma Rho “Brothers of the Century” National Award, 2004
  - Distinguised Agricultural Alumnus - Purdue College of Agriculture, 1999
  - “Old Master” - Purdue University, 1999
  - “Distinguised Hoosier” Award, by Gov. Robert Orr, 1982
  - National Institute of Health, Graduate Trainee - Michigan State University, 1972 - 1974
Prior to JBS United, Dr. Orr was a Swine Nutritionist for Central Soya, and Director of the Swine Research Center at Texas Tech University.
Doug M. Webel, Ph.D. - Chief Operating Officer, Nutrition & Emerging Technologies

Joined JBS United: 1998
- Education:
  - Ph.D. Comparative Nutrition - University of Illinois, 1997
  - M.S. Animal Science, Swine Nutrition - University of Illinois, 1995
  - B.S. Animal Science - University of Illinois, 1993
- Offices:
  - Vice President, Emerging Technologies, 2005-2007
  - Director of R&D, JBS United, Inc. 2004-2007
  - Swine Nutritionist, United Feeds, Inc. 1998-2004
- Memberships:
  - American Society of Animal Science
  - Poultry Science Association
- Honors Include:
  - SAS/ADSA Outstanding Young Agribusiness Award in 2004
Raised in Central Illinois on a farrow to finish swine operation, Doug Webel received his B.S., M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Illinois, the later completed in 1997. While working on his Ph.D. under the direction of Dr. D. H. Baker, he studied the interactions of nutrition and immunology in growing chicks and pigs. Doug joined United Feeds, Inc. as a swine nutritionist immediately after completion of his doctoral degree. Since that time he has been heavily involved in both research and technical service. His research emphasis has been on nursery and grow-finish nutrition and management technologies that optimize carcass value and economic returns. More recently his focus has been on phosphorus nutrition and novel phytase technologies. Dr. Webel is currently Chief Operating Officer, Nutrition & Emerging Technologies at JBS United, Inc. He has authored or co-authored 23 peer-reviewed scientific articles, one book chapter and numerous abstracts and invited presentations.
Ellen S. Crabb, MBA - Managing Director

Joined JBS United: 1991
- Education:
  - M.B.A. - IU Graduate School of Business
  - B.A. - Purdue University
- Professional Memberships:
  - New Product Development Association
  - Agricultural Advisory Board for BioCrossroads
Ellen Crabb has many years of professional experience, including business planning for General Motors, consulting for Fortune 500 Companies specializing in new product development, President of Crabb & Co., with clients including Lilly, Proctor and Gamble, Indiana State Legislature, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Farm Bureau.
John M. Corbett, CPA - Managing Director

Joined JBS United: 1991
- Education:
  - B.S. Management (with Honors) - Purdue University, 1979
- Offices:
  - Vice Chairman / Managing Director, 2005-Present
  - Executive Vice President / Business Manager, 1997-2005
  - Chief Financial Officer / Treasurer / Secretary, 1992-1997
  - Board of Directors, 1991-2005
Thomas W. Hurd - Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Grain Division

Joined JBS United: 1985^*
- Education:
  - Degree in Business Management - University of Illinois
- Professional Memberships:
  - National Grain and Feed Association
  - Member NGFA Trade Rules Committee
Thomas Hurd has 40+ years experience in the feed and grain elevator business. He has served on the boards of numerous feed and grain associations.

^*Through the acquisition of M. D. King Milling Co.
Howard D. Thomas II, CPA - Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Joined JBS United: 1996
- Education:
  - B.S. Accounting - Indiana University, 1974
- Offices:
  - Secretary/Treasurer
- Professional Memberships:
  - American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
  - Indiana CPA Society
Howard Thomas has spent the last 24 years in public accounting with specialties in agriculture and construction. He has been associated in a professional capacity with JBS United since 1972, but formally was hired in 1996.
John L. McGraw - Chief Operating Officer - Farm Division

Joined JBS United: 1974
- Education:
  - Attended Purdue University
- Professional Memberships:
  - Ivy Tech's Agricultural Advisory Committee
- Honors Include:
  - 1984 Pork All American
John was born and raised on a 260 acre hog, corn and soybean farm in Goodland, IN. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus. After serving his country in Vietnam, John was herdsman for Carl E. Funk Farms, Earl Park, IN from 1968-1972 and also for Jack Rodibaugh & Sons Farm, Rensselaer, IN from 1973-1974. John started with JBS United as Farm Manager for Burton Russell Farm. John has traveled to six continents observing the swine industry. Highlights of those trips were tours in Holland, Brazil, Costa Rica and speaking for a pork conference in China.

Other Management

Ronny L. Moser, Ph.D. - Director, Research and Development

Joined JBS United: 1994^**
- Education:
  - Ph.D. - University of Nebraska, 1980
  - M.S. - University of Nebraska, 1978
  - B.S. - Oklahoma State University, 1976
- Offices:
  - Director, Business Dev., 2003
  - Director Technical Services, 2003
  - Associate Professor at University of Minnesota, 1980-89
  - Director, University of Minnesota Swine Center
- Professional Memberships:
  - American Society of Animal Science
  - Affiliate Member - American Association of Swine Veterinarians
- Awards:
  - Animal Science Graduate of Distinction Award from Oklahoma State University
Dr. Moser has completed 18 years as a nutritionist serving the feed industry, the last 13 years with JBS United, Inc. Ron came to JBS United, Inc. in a merger with Ringger Feeds where he served as Director of Nutrition for five years.

Ron came to Ringger Feeds from the University of Minnesota having served on the faculty for nine years. While at Minnesota, Ron was associate professor of Animal Science with responsibilities in research and teaching. Ron also served as Director of the University of Minnesota Swine Center, an interdisciplinary effort to increase the transfer of scientific information to Minnesota Pork Producers.

JBS United, Inc. is dedicated to providing research-based solutions to enhance animal nutrition and livestock production profitability. As a member of the Research and Development team, Ron contributes to the development of new products and directs the technical support of these products and services specifically to the large pork producers, veterinarians and pork industry influencers in the US and Canada.

^**Through a merger with Ringger Feeds
Gregory A. Morgan, SPHR - Director of Human Resources

Joined JBS United: 2004
- Education:
  - M.B.A. - Ball State
  - B.S. & M.S. Education - Purdue University
  - SPHR Certification
- Professional Memberships:
  - Member of SHRM (Society of Human Resource Management)
  - HRACI (Human Resource Association of Central Indiana)
Gregory Morgan grew up on an Indiana grain farm near Goodland, Indiana. Morgan has 20 years experience in HR, including training, compensation, safety, recruiting, expatriate management, employee relations, policy, strategy, organizational development, etc. He has worked in the auto industry at Delphi, in telecommunications at Acterna, and Food at Red Gold. Morgan spent 1 year in Singapore on an expatriate HR assignment. Prior to HR, Morgan taught high school and coached basketball.
Blyn Brown, M.S. - Director of Technical Sales, Poultry

Joined JBS United: 2006
- Education:
  - B.S. & M.S. Poultry Science - Texas A&M University
- Professional Memberships:
  - Poultry Science and Texas A&M Poultry Science Dept.
Blyn Brown is the Global Poultry Technical Sales Director for JBS United, Inc. and has more than 30 years of business related experience encompassing marketing/sales, technical research/support, product line development/management and multi-site management primarily in the broiler breeder and broiler industry. Blyn was previously employed by Cargill Animal Nutrition as National Poultry Accounts Manager and Aviagen (Ross Breeders) as Technical Services Director. He earned his Bachelor and Master of Science degree in Poultry Science from Texas A & M University. His post graduate work involved broiler and broiler breeder nutrition and management with a minor in sales and marketing.

Blyn is responsible for defining global markets and setting market potentials and goals for company products, prioritizing strategies, establishing sales, and personnel infrastructure to meet the company's sales goals. A significant amount of his time is allocated to field building. Field building includes mentoring the sales team, developing and cultivating prospects, moving them through the sales process and building and managing relationships with domestic and international prospects and/or customers for product deployment. Along with transitioning novel products to prospects or customers' requirements on a commercial scale production basis, Brown sells high-value complex solutions primarily to the Poultry Industry.
William R. Metzger, M.S. - General Manager of JBS United Trading, Inc.

Joined JBS United: 1985
- Education:
  - B.S. & M.S. - Purdue University
William Metzger responsibilities include hedging Signature Farms hog production corn and meal needs. Metzger also oversees the bean meal desk which is a service that supplies 180,000 tons of bean meal to our customers.
Steven R. Schneider - Operations Manager – Nutrition Division

Joined JBS United: 1995
- Education:
  - M.S. Education - University of Illinois
  - B.S. - Illinois State University
- Professional Memberships:
  - American Feed Industry Association
  - Illinois Pork Producers Association
  - Illinois Ag Leadership
Steven Schneider joined JBS United, Inc. in 1995 in technical support and managed APS breed to wean units. Schneider moved on to manage the Gridley, Illinois plant starting in 2002. In 2004, he moved to the Sheridan office to manage operations of nutrition division. Before coming to JBS United, Schneider taught high school vocational agriculture for three years and was a pork and grain producer for 10 years.
Daniel H. Foley - Business Manager, United Pig Placement Services

Joined JBS United: 2004
- Education:
  - M.S. Agricultural Economics - Purdue University
  - B.S. Agricultural Economics and Animal Science - Texas A&M University
- Offices:
  - Credit Manager
  - Property Risk Analyst
- Professional Memberships:
  - American Agricultural Economics Association (AAEA)
Daniel Foley joined JBS United in January 2004 as the Credit Manager and Property Risk Analyst. He assumed his current position as the Business Manager of United Pig Placement Service (UPPS) in April 2005.

As Business Manager of UPPS, Daniel oversees all daily operations and account service activities. Daniel and the UPPS team are responsible for the negotiations and contractual arrangements between farrowers and finishers, the logistics and scheduling of pig placements, and all associated financial transactions for approximately 750,000 pigs annually.

Daniel was raised on a production livestock operation in southwest Texas. He received his B.S. in Agricultural Economics and Animal Science from Texas A&M University in 2002. He then earned an M.S. in Agricultural Economics with an emphasis in agribusiness management from Purdue University in 2003. His research focused on market segmentation within the agricultural input sector and thus how agricultural input firms can reconfigure their value bundle of product, service, and information to better serve commercial producers.
Michael D. Shingler, MBA - Director of Marketing and Public Relations

Joined JBS United: 2005
- Education:
  - M.B.A. Marketing and General Management - University of Michigan
  - B.A. Accounting - Michigan State University
  - Executive Marketing Education Program - Northwestern University, Kellogg School of Management
- Professional Memberships:
  - American Marketing Association
  - American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
  - The University of Michigan Alumni Association
  - Michigan State University Alumni Association
Michael is responsible for the marketing and public relations activities of JBS United. His experience includes marketing, finance, consulting and international business.

Michael began his career as a Certified Public Accountant for Deloitte & Touche (formerly Touche Ross & Co.) where he advised clients in a variety of industries. He subsequently served in various corporate financial management roles including treasury, auditing, controllership, cost accounting and financial analysis. Michael served as a consultant to companies in Poland and the Czech Republic during the transition to a market economy. Michael has held marketing management positions in the consumer products industry with Kellogg's and ConAgra in which he managed multiple brands including Eggo, Nutri-Grain Bars and Egg Beaters. He served in the Global and U.S. Marketing areas of pharmaceutical leader Eli Lilly and Company where he was responsible for neuroscience brands including Cymbalta, Symbyax and Prozac.

Michael has an M.B.A. in Marketing and General Management from The University of Michigan and a B.A. in Accounting from Michigan State University.
Dave Crosby - Sales Manager, Key Accounts

Joined JBS United: 1979
- Education:
  - B.S., General Agriculture - Purdue University
- Offices
  - Assistant Sales Manager - 2004-2007
  - Key Account Sales Manager - September 2007 to present
Dave Crosby has worked for JBS United since 1979. In that time, Crosby has worked at JBS United's swine research farms, with the Production Records Program in Indiana and Michigan. Crosby started and developed JBS's swine business in Northern Indiana and developed JBS's swine business in Minnesota. Dave is married to Becky and has two adult children, Jon and Lindsay.
Mike Engelhardt - Sales Manager, National Swine Accounts

Joined JBS United: 1989
- Education:
  - B.S. Animal Science - The Ohio State University
- Offices:
  - National Accounts Sales Manager, September '07 to present
Mike Engelhardt joined United Feeds, Inc. in 1989 upon graduation from college. During this time Mike has worked on the JBS United swine research farms, developed a sales territory in Northwest Ohio, was an Account Manager for national accounts, and is currently a project manager on a recent product development. In his new role as Sales Manager, Mike is responsible for all sales activity related to the development and service of national swine accounts.
Jim Lease - Business Development Manager

Joined JBS United: 1993
- Education:
  - B.S. Animal Science - Purdue University
Jim Lease has worked in the Swine Industry for 33 years and has been a part of the JBS United team since 1993. He has owned and operated a Purebred Breeding Stock Farm and has been employed in various sales positions within both Purina and PIC. Jim oversaw the creation of and has managed UPPS. He was also responsible for being an account manager in the nutrition division for the past 15 years.