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The Board of Directors of U.S. Livestock Genetics Export, Inc. is pleased to announce the hiring of Dr. Martin Sieber effective January 16, 2017. Martin will work under the direction of President/CEO Michael A. Phillips for a short transition period and then upon Mike’s retirement succeed him as USLGE President and Chief Executive Officer.

Martin brings expansive knowledge of animal breeding, international livestock marketing, and USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) programs to the USLGE staff. Born and raised in Germany, he earned undergraduate and graduate degrees in animal breeding. He came to Iowa State University in 1985 as a postdoctoral research scholar, studying the relationship of conformation and yield traits in Holstein cattle. Martin’s career includes key positions in international market development with the National Association of Animal Breeders and Minitube USA as well as being founder of AgDevelop, an independent consulting firm for international agricultural market development. His work with livestock producers, international export and import companies, agricultural ministries, and U.S. embassies extends to more than 75 countries.

Mike Phillips completed 23 years as the founding President of USLGE at its 2017 annual meeting in Columbus, OH. From a mere 6 members in February 1994, Mike has guided the growth and development of USLGE as an FAS cooperator to include 54 organizations representing all sectors of the U.S. livestock and genetics business plus state Departments of Agriculture, individual seedstock producers, and exporters. He has worked tirelessly to champion the U.S. livestock industry and connect USLGE members with producers and government personnel across the globe. USLGE has been incredibly fortunate to have such a leader and advocate who is widely respected around the world.

U.S. Livestock Genetics Export, Inc. (www.uslge.org) was incorporated in October 1993 as a nationwide, livestock- specific, industrywide non-profit corporation to represent the international market development interests of the U.S. livestock and livestock genetics industry. As an umbrella organization, USLGE brings together 54 U. S. livestock organizations representing dairy, beef, sheep, swine and horse breeding associations and embryo and semen industries as well as state Departments of Agriculture, individual seedstock producers, and exporters. USLGE is a cooperator with the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) of USDA and administers federally funded international livestock market development and promotional programs.