AMES, IOWA – The Swine Health Information Center (SHIC) announced Megan Niederwerder, DVM, will be promoted to executive director. Niederwerder is currently serving as associate director of the organization and will succeed Paul Sundberg, DVM, who announced on Aug. 17, his plans to retire at the end of the year.

SHIC said that a transition plan is in place for a smooth handoff and business continuity.

“You simply do not replace someone like Paul Sundberg,” said Russ Nugent board chair of the SHIC. “He has been an asset to this industry for years. Megan will use her vast talents, along with lessons and wisdom learned from Paul, to continue the strong legacy of SHIC to help US pork producers develop innovative ways to protect our ability to produce a healthy, sustainable, cost-effective food supply for our country. Megan won’t try to be Paul, but we sure won’t forget all that we have learned from him.”

Nugent noted that Niederwerder was involved in all facets SHIC since joining more than a year ago. She spent time helping direct the SHIC operations while understanding the organization’s efforts.

“Having Megan on board since April 2022 has allowed for interaction between her, Paul, and the board so we can mesh her talents and strengths with the ongoing success we have had under Paul’s leadership,” Nugent said. “A person of Paul’s talents is not easily replaced, but we will all do our best to continue his legacy of SHIC success and the board is very excited to have Megan taking us forward into the future.”

SHIC, was by the National Pork Board in 2015 with Pork Checkoff funding, continues to focus efforts on prevention, preparedness, and response to novel and emerging swine disease for the benefit of US swine health. Sunderberg was the first executive director before this transition.

“SHIC was formed because pork producers believed there was a better way to prepare for potential disease threats that were not yet in the US. That has been our focus since 2015,” Nugent said. “SHIC’s staff must be well aware of pork production disease threats worldwide as well as have the vision and scientific contacts to lead an effort to assess risk, likelihood, magnitude, and ability for us to generate valuable insight into potential emerging diseases.”