Iowa Premium Beef names a new CEO

By Amanda Brodhagen, Farms.com

Iowa Premium Beef announced that Jeffry Johnson will be its new Chief Executive Officer. Johnson will be taking over for the late John Stewart, who passed away earlier this month.

Bob Evans, Chairman of the Board for Iowa Premium Beef says that while Mr. Stewart’s vision and passion will be missed, “we are fortunate to have such a strong leader stepping up at this crucial time.”

Prior to his new role, Johnson served as the Vice President of Operations for the Tame-based beef processing facility. Johnson is dubbed as a “seasoned veteran” of the beef industry and has a background in plant engineering, facility development, environmental compliance, and food safety. Before that, he served as the Vice President of Engineering and Environmental Affairs for JBS USA. He worked for JBS USA for 35 years.

He is known for his track record in the areas of sustainability and efficiency, specifically in reducing energy consumption, reducing processing times, and ensuring that food safety standards are top notch.

“I am deeply saddened by the loss of my friend and colleague, John Stewart,” Johnson said in a release.  “As a company, we remain committed to John’s vision of success for Iowa Premium Beef.  We are uplifted by the overwhelmingly positive response we have seen from the community thus far and eagerly await opening day.”

According to a company press release, the Iowa Premium Beef Facility is expected to open in late October 2014. Iowa Premium Beef processes and markets Black Angus beef products in the United States and abroad. Cattle are sourced from Eastern and Central Iowa.