Keith Epperson, American Feed Industry Association's vice president of manufacturing and training, will retire Dec. 31, after nearly 40 years of service in the feed industry. Epperson joined AFIA in 2005 in the position he holds today and also served on three AFIA committees in leadership roles for numerous years while employed by Kent Feeds.

"AFIA has allotted me the opportunity to continually work with the feed industry through our membership, other industry professionals and government agencies to face the issues, which have changed greatly since I first entered the industry," said Epperson.

Epperson began his career in the feed industry at Kent Feeds in 1976, working his way through the ranks before retiring as the company's Vice President of Quality Assurance, Safety and Training and Operations of the Eastern Region.

"Keith's feed and plant management expertise has proven to be a true asset to our members and the association," said AFIA President and CEO Joel G. Newman. "He has led the development and implementation of the Safe Feed/Safe Food Certification Program, the International Safe Feed/Safe Food Certification Program and the Pet Food Manufacturers Certification Program. On behalf of AFIA, we wish Epperson all the best and are very thankful for his hard work through the years."

During his time at AFIA, Epperson provided guidance and leadership on behalf of AFIA to federal agencies, including the Occupational Safety & Health Administration, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Transportation and Homeland Security. Epperson served as the staff liaison of the Equipment Manufacturers Committee, assisting in the planning and implementation of the annual Equipment Manufacturers Conference, an event he once attended as an industry representative. He also served as the staff contact for the Quality, Integrator and Production Compliance committee. Epperson currently serves on the Kansas State University's Department of Grain and Science's Advisory Board and collaborates with K-State to provide distance learning education courses focusing on feed manufacturing.

To learn more about Epperson's career in the feed industry, click here. To contact Epperson prior to his departure, please email kepperson@afia.org.

About AFIA
The American Feed Industry Association, based in Arlington, Va., is the world's largest organization devoted exclusively to representing the business, legislative and regulatory interests of the U.S. animal feed industry and its suppliers. Founded in 1909, the organization membership is comprised of the total feed industry-from commercial and integrated feed manufacturers, to ingredient suppliers, pet food manufacturers, pharmaceutical companies, industry support and equipment manufacturers. AFIA is also the recognized leader on international industry developments and holds membership in the International Feed Industry Federation.

Members include more than 575 domestic and international companies. More than 75 percent of the commercial feed and 70 percent of the non-grain ingredients including soybean meal, distillers co-products, vitamins, minerals, amino acids, yeast products and other miscellaneous/specialty ingredients in the U.S. are manufactured by AFIA members. Return to Industry Buzz.

12.22.2014