ARLINGTON, Va. — On Oct. 16, the American Feed Industry Association’s (AFIA) board of directors appointed Constance Cullman to the role of president and CEO, as well as president of the association’s Institute for Feed Education and Research (IFEEDER). Cullman will succeed Joel G. Newman upon his retirement on Dec. 31.

Newman announced his retirement in December 2018. Cullman has been working alongside him, and other AFIA leaders, since late July 2019 to facilitate a smooth transition.

“Working with Constance over the past several months has been a pleasure,” said Tim Belstra, chair of AFIA’s board of directors. “She not only has a high track record of success, but she has the vision, integrity and passion for leading the US animal food industry into its next chapter.”

Before joining AFIA, Cullman had served most recently as president and CEO of Farm Foundation, as well as a US government affairs leader for Dow AgroSciences; senior director of regulatory, technical and international affairs at the Corn Refiners Association; vice president of agricultural ecology at the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation; and extension associate at The Ohio State University’s College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.

“As a major link in the food and agricultural supply chain, the animal food industry is undergoing unprecedented change. With that change comes opportunities for continued success in sustainably meeting consumers’ needs today while innovating for tomorrow’s challenges. It is an honor to join this important and cutting edge industry,” Cullman said.

Cullman is originally from Marysville, Ohio, where her family owned and operated a cow/calf farm, according to AFIA. She earned her bachelor’s in agricultural economics and her master’s in agricultural economics, with an emphasis on international trade and agricultural policy, both from The Ohio State University. 

Read more about personnel changes throughout the industry.