For Immediate Release
International Production & Processing Expo
Tucker, Ga. - October 14, 2026

2027 IPPE Recognizes Next Generation of Industry Leaders with Young Leaders Under 30 Award

The International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE) is pleased to recognize the 2027 Young Leaders Under 30 honorees, highlighting the next generation of professionals making an impact across the industry. This award celebrates emerging talent and provides recipients with valuable recognition and opportunities to connect with industry leaders at the world’s largest annual trade show dedicated to the production and processing of meat, poultry and egg products, as well as the production of animal feed and pet food.

The 2027 IPPE Young Leaders Under 30 Award honorees are as follows:

• Grayson Adams, Fieldale Farms Corporation
• Ashby Austin, Aviagen
• Jacob Bagby, Tyson Foods 
• Cassity Brown, Standard Meat Company 
• Michael Brown, Wayne-Sanderson Farms
• Mary Byrd, Prestage Farms 
• Sophie Bytnar, Mountaire Farms 
• Abby Campbell, Peco Foods
• Maria Joselyn Castellon Chicas, Pilgrim’s 
• Cade Davis, Peco Foods 
• Jenna Decker, Perdue Farms 
• Ana Dias, Claxton Poultry 
• Joaquin Esquivel, Reser’s Fine Foods 
• Youry Gonzalez, Pilgrim’s
• Victor Guevara Castanon, Pilgrim’s 
• Emily Hopson, TFP Nutrition
• Derek Houston, Case Farms 
• Alexa Johnson, Butterball LLC 
• Katelyn Kinsella, Cooper Farms 
• Donell Kleiboeker, 3D Corporate Solutions
• Ashley Kolb, Perdue Farms 
• Ashlyn Lewton-Navarro, Pilgrim’s 
• Loren Lindler, FPL Food LLC 
• Clay Maynard, Tyson Foods 
• Harry McAdams, Perdue AgriBusiness 
• Noah McWilliams, Farbest Foods 
• Rushali Mistry, Miniat
• Baptiste Nevejans, Hubbard 
• Abbey Pollok, Tyson Foods 
• Stephanie Reyes, Wayne-Sanderson Farms 
• Grant Tarvin, Wayne-Sanderson Farms
• Hayes Thompson, Wayne-Sanderson Farms 
• Madison Turano, Perdue Farms 
• Shelby Walther, Kalmbach Feeds/Poultry Partners 
• Colton Zumbrun, Weaver Eggs Inc.

“The future of our industry depends on the talent, innovation and leadership of the next generation,” said IPPE show management. “Each year, we are impressed by the dedication and enthusiasm demonstrated by the young professionals who apply for this program. We congratulate the 2027 honorees and look forward to providing them with opportunities to build meaningful connections, expand their industry knowledge and further develop as future leaders.”

The selected recipients will enjoy complimentary access to the Expo, IPPE-assigned complimentary hotel accommodations for Tuesday and Wednesday nights, access to all non-fee-based educational programs and registration for one paid educational program offered at IPPE. They will also receive a VIP tour of the trade show floor, breakfast with a keynote speaker, a plaque recognizing their status as a "Young Leader" that will be presented in the Discovery Zone Booth BC34088 on the Expo floor at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 27, and complimentary registration to the 2028 IPPE.

Save the date and join us in celebrating the rising stars of the poultry, egg, meat and animal food industries. Register now. 

About IPPE
The International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE) is a collaboration of three shows - International Feed Expo, International Meat Expo and the International Poultry Expo - representing the entire chain of protein production and processing. The event is sponsored by the American Feed Industry Association (AFIA), the Meat Institute and U.S. Poultry & Egg Association (USPOULTRY).

About AFIA
Founded in 1909, the American Feed Industry Association (AFIA), 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 food industry and its suppliers. The organization's membership is comprised of more than 650 domestic and international companies that represent the total feed industry-manufacturers of commercial and integrated feed and pet food, ingredient suppliers, pharmaceutical companies, industry support and equipment manufacturers. AFIA members manufacture more than 75% of the feed and 70% of the non-grain ingredients used in the country. AFIA is also recognized as the leader on international industry developments and holds membership in the International Feed Industry Federation (IFIF).

About the Meat Institute
The Meat Institute represents the full community of people and companies who make the majority of meat American families rely on every day. The Meat Institute's hands-on regulatory and technical expertise, proactive advocacy, unique convening power, collaboration within and beyond animal agriculture, and sector-leading continuous improvement initiatives drive relationships and resources that ensure meat continues to be a vital, trusted pillar of healthy diets and thriving communities for generations to come. To learn more, visit MeatInstitute.org.

About USPOULTRY
U.S. Poultry & Egg Association (USPOULTRY) is the All Feather Association progressively serving its poultry and egg members through research, education, communications and technical services. Founded in 1947, USPOULTRY is based in Tucker, Georgia.

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