The US Poultry & Egg Association presented the organization’s annual Lamplighter Award to six individuals at the International Poultry Expo, part of the 2026 International Production & Processing Expo. The award pays tribute to individuals for sustained and exemplary service to the poultry and egg industry. This year’s honorees are Joel Brandenberger, Bill Kinross, Kim Rice, Angie Siemens, Gwen Venable and Jeanna Wilson.

Joel Brandenberger retired as president and CEO of the National Turkey Federation in July 2024, after serving the organization for more than 33 years. As CEO, Brandenberger led NTF through major industry challenges, including outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza, avian metapneumovirus and turkey coronavirus, volatile feed and fuel costs, evolving food safety and animal drug regulations, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Under his leadership, NTF expanded its marketing efforts beginning in 2014, launched the Turkey Smoke campaign, strengthened export partnerships, secured regulatory changes benefiting school meal programs and more.

Joel Brandenberger receives Lamplighter Award. Photo courtesy of the US Poultry & Egg Association

From 1991 to 2006, Brandenberger served as the industry’s primary lobbyist, representing turkey producers before Congress on food safety, farm policy, environmental, energy and animal welfare issues. A frequent media spokesperson, he appeared in major domestic and international outlets. A Texas Tech University graduate and Distinguished Alumni Award recipient, Brandenberger previously worked in the US House of Representatives and the Texas Senate. He now continues his career as a consultant.

Bill Kinross is a 40-year veteran of the publishing industry with extensive leadership experience in both print and digital media. He served as publisher of Food Processing for five years and has led Meatingplace for the past two decades. As publisher, Kinross functions as the publication’s general manager, with full publishing and licensing responsibility and oversight of all operations, including editorial, digital content, design, production, sales, accounting, information technology, circulation and support teams.

Bill Kinross receives Lamplighter Award. Photo courtesy of the US Poultry & Egg Association

Originally from Pawleys Island, S.C., Kinross earned his undergraduate degree in administrative management from Clemson University and a Master of Business Administration in marketing from DePaul University.

Kim Rice is a food safety and quality leader with more than 30 years of experience across the food and protein industries. She currently serves as vice president of food safety and quality at Rose Acre Farms, where she oversees food safety, regulatory compliance, quality systems and laboratory operations across a nationwide network.

Kim Rice receives Lamplighter Award. Photo courtesy of the US Poultry & Egg Association

Previously, Rice led regulatory compliance and distribution food safety at US Foods and held leadership roles with Zoetis, Keystone Foods, Conagra/Pilgrim’s Pride, the American Meat Institute and Jimmy Dean Foods, bringing broad experience across production, processing, regulation and distribution. Rice holds a bachelor’s degree in food science/animal science from the University of Kentucky and maintains certifications in HACCP, Preventive Controls and Lean Six Sigma.

Angie Siemens is a nationally recognized food safety expert with more than 30 years of experience in the meat and poultry industry. She leads Angie Siemens Consulting, providing regulatory and technical advisory services, and also serves as senior regulatory and technical advisor at OFW Law. Before retiring from Cargill, she directed the Protein North America Food Safety Program for 18 years, with earlier leadership roles at Smithfield Foods and Oscar Mayer/Kraft Foods.

Angie Siemens receives Lamplighter Award. Photo courtesy of the US Poultry & Egg Association

 

Throughout her career, Siemens has driven applied research to address emerging food safety risks, including Salmonella risk assessments in ground turkey and advancements across beef and turkey supply chains. She has led efforts to mitigate pathogens such as STEC, Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes, influencing industry practices and federal regulations. Siemens holds a Ph.D. in food science and nutrition from the University of Missouri and has received numerous honors, including the 2025 IAFP Harold Barnum Industry Award and the Purdue University Distinguished Agriculture Alumni Award.

Gwen Venable is executive vice president of expo and communication services for USPOULTRY. She oversees the International Poultry Expo and the overall management of the International Production & Processing Expo. She also leads strategic communications, marketing and public relations for the USPOULTRY’s services and events. Previously, she led corporate marketing and public relations for Marel Stork Poultry Processing in the United States.

Gwen Venable receives Lamplighter Award. Photo courtesy of the US Poultry & Egg Association

Venable is a past chair of the International Association of Exhibitions and Events Southeastern Chapter and currently serves on IAEE’s Major American Trade Show Organizers Council. She has received multiple IAEE honors, including the IAEE Chapter Merit Award and Cathy Breden Woman of Achievement Award. Venable has also served in leadership roles with several agriculture organizations, including serving as co-chair of the US Roundtable for Sustainable Poultry & Eggs Communications Committee. She holds a bachelor's degree and Master of Business Administration from the University of Georgia, as well as a certification in exhibition management from IAEE.

Jeanna Wilson is a nationally and internationally recognized expert in broiler breeder management with the UGA Department of Poultry Science. Since joining the faculty in 1988, her extension and applied research programs have focused on solving industry challenges in breeder and hatchery management, particularly male broiler breeder fertility—work that saves Georgia poultry breeders an estimated $6 million annually.

Jeanna Wilson receives Lamplighter Award. Photo courtesy of the US Poultry & Egg Association

An international authority on breeder fertility, Wilson’s research has improved flock productivity, fertility, and hatchability and directly influenced modern breeder house design and management practices. She also leads major industry education programs, including the Georgia Poultry Conference, the Deep South Poultry Conference, an annual hatchery breeder school and actively supports youth through 4-H and FFA programs. Wilson has authored more than 145 scientific and industry publications and has presented her work worldwide. Her honors include the Poultry Science Association Award for Excellence in Extension and the UGA Walter B. Hill Award for distinguished public service and outreach.

“The dedication and service of this year’s Lamplighter Award recipients has been invaluable in driving the poultry industry forward. We value their contributions, and we sincerely appreciate their service to the industry,” said Jonathan Cade, president of Hy-Line International, and outgoing USPOULTRY chair.

Source: US Poultry & Egg Association