US: Pork Checkoff takes on two new vice presidents

Winkelman will lead the Checkoff staff members who connect directly with producers and with others in the pork industry. He and his group work to deliver to U.S. pork producers the services and programs they support through the Pork Checkoff. Those include research results, educational, training and certification programs.

 

After Winkelman worked in public accounting for three years, he joined Pioneer Hi-bred, where he spent 15 years in various roles with international finance. He lived in Europe for three years while serving as the finance director for European operations. 

 

He spent three years as chief financial officer for the National Pork Board before joining the western operation of Murphy-Brown in 2004 as the director of analysis and reporting. 

 

“I enjoy working with the industry and look forward to creating ways to help pork producers and their employees develop professionally,” Winkelman said.  “Not only building their technical skills, but helping them to grow professionally within their leadership skills within their organizations.”

Criss has been the National Pork Board’s director of human resources the past eight years. She will continue to oversee day-to-day organizational operations including legal issues, records retention, National Pork Board contract oversight, Freedom of Information Act requests, and internal organizational structure.  Additionally, she directs all human resource and organizational effectiveness initiatives in support of the strategic plan.
 
A graduate of the University of Northern Iowa, Criss has worked in human resources for Bridgestone/Firestone and Iowa State University.  She also has owned her own human resources consulting firm. 

 

“The pork industry is filled with so many great, interesting people as well as some challenges,” Criss said. “I look forward to being involved on a much broader level to help shape the future of the industry.”