LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – The Poultry Federation’s 2012 Industry Leader of the Year is Shane Acosta, complex general manager of Cargill in Springdale, Ark. The announcement came during the 53rd Annual Poultry Festival.

Acosta has served on The Poultry Federation’s Processors Workshop Committee for more than 12 years, and he is credited for being instrumental in the annual growth of the workshop and vendor sponsorships, according to the Federation. He also is credited with recruiting new Allied members for TPF membership and sponsors for the poultry festival.

Acosta is a member of the National Turkey Federation, and is very active in his community through sponsorships and volunteering. He has worked at Cargill in various roles for more than 18 years. He is a graduate of Louisiana State Univ., Baton Rouge, with a Bachelor of Science in Vocational Education and a minor in Poultry Science.