ELIZABETHTOWN, PA. – Following its July convention in Charleston, SC, the American Association of Meat Processors (AAMP) named its Board of Directors for 2023-24.

Tom Eickman of Eickman’s Processing in Seward, Ill., was named president of AAMP for the upcoming year. He will replace Darla Kiesel, co-owner of Dewig Meats in Haubstadt, Ind. She will stay on the board of directors as the immediate past president.

“We are thrilled to have such a talented and capable group of meat industry professionals in our 2023-24 Board of Directors,” AAMP said in a statement. “We appreciate their willingness to lend their expertise and guidance to the association for the next year.”

Other positions announced include treasurer, which will be held by Scott Filbrandt, from Bob’s Processing Inc., in South Haven, Mich.

Shane Flowers from Project Meats & Ranch House Sausage Co., of Billings, Mont., takes on the role as the first vice president for AAMP. Louis Fantasma of Paradise Locker Meats in Trimble, Mo., will work as the second vice president. Joel Reck, from Wenzel’s Farm LLC in Marshfield, Wis., was named third vice president.

Chris Young, the executive director of AAMP, will serve on the board as secretary.

A list of operator directors was also made available:

  • Jennifer Dierkes, McDonald’s Meats Inc., Clear Lake, Minn; (Term of office expires 2024)
  • Matthew Elvbakken, Tizer Meats, Helena, Mont. (Term of office expires 2024)
  • Danny Mendes, Tulare Meat Locker & Sausage Co., Tulare, Calif. (Term of office expires 2024)
  • John Tiefenthaler, Tiefenthaler Quality Meats, Holstein, Iowa; (term of office expires 2024)
  • Clifford Behrmann, Behrmann Meat & Proc., Albers, IIl. (Term of office expires 2025)
  • Kelcey Christensen, 307 Meat Co., Laramie, Wyo. (Term of office expires 2026)
  • Jake Nelson, Ralph’s Packing, Perkins, Okla. (Term of office expires 2026)
  • Jesse Smith, Diller Locker, Diller, Neb. (Term of office expires 2026)

Supplier directors were also named including:

  • Dylan Walton, Walton’s Inc., Wichita, KS
  • Matthew Harper, VC999 Packaging Systems, Williamston, MI
  • Scott Werner, Excalibur Seasoning Co. Inc., Pekin, IL

The association thanked the other board members whose terms expired at the end of the convention which include:

  • Dwight Ely, Ely Farm Products, Newtown, Pa.
  • Mike Holland, Holland Brothers Meats, Duncansville, Pa.
  • Stephen Boyer, The Country Butcher, Tolland, Conn.
  • Robin Bacopoulos, TemPac LLC, North Canton, Ohio.