Tim Haen, of Haen Meat Packing Inc., Kaukauna, WI, was recently elected President of the American Association of Meat Processors, at the 74th American Convention of Meat Processors and Supplier's Exhibition in Charleston, South Carolina. Haen worked his way through the AAMP Board chairs, serving as the Association's 1st Vice President and Treasurer before he took charge of his presidential duties on July 20, 2013.

Haen has been working to produce quality cured items since 1986. Taking on his father's challenge to learn how to make cured meat and sausage products, he began to gather information and knowledge and formed long-lasting relationships with other meat processors, equipment suppliers, vendors and various seasoning companies. Striving for excellence, Haen Meat Packing has won over 200 awards in competitions at WAMP, AAMP and the Wisconsin State Fair, including five best of show awards at the WAMP Convention.

Haen Meat Packing currently offers a product line that includes 50 cured products and, in addition, it offers 30 types of venison cured meat and sausage products to venison customers.

On a local level, giving back to his community comes natural for Haen. He volunteers with various activities at his home parish of St. Katharine Drexel and the Kaukauna Catholic School system as well as many other local organizations. Haen Meat Packing supports local charities, benefits and fundraisers. Area churches, schools and athletic programs have come to know that Haen Meat Packing will support them, not only with a high quality product, but exceptional service.

Haen has been very active with AAMP. He has served on numerous committees and has been a speaker at AAMP's convention. He looks forward to leading AAMP throughout the coming year. Haen succeeds Mike Sloan, Hermann Wurst Haus, Hermann, MO, who will remain on the Board of Directors as the Immediate Past President. Kevin Western, Western's Smokehouse & Meat Market, Inc., Greentop, MO, took over the office of Treasurer. Erica Hering, Ralph's Packing Company, Perkins, OK, was elected at the 1st Vice President; Doug Hankes, Thrushwood Farms Quality Meats, Galesburg, IL, was elected as 2nd Vice President; and Louis Muench, Louie's Finer Meats, Inc., Cumberland WI was elected as the 3rd Vice President.

The newly-elected Directors are Brian Engle, Pioneer Meats, Big Timber, MT; Chad Lottman, C & C Processing, Inc., Diller, NE; Rick Reams, RJ Meats & Groceries, Hudson, WI, and John Walke, Walke Brothers Meats, Claremore, OK.

Continuing on the Board are Jon Christensen, Erdman's County Market, Kasson, MN; Terry Kerns, Edgewood Locker Inc., Edgewood, IA; Rachael Lee, Steve's Meat Market, Ellendale, MN; Richard Leiding, Leiding's Meats & Catering, Danville, IL; Kurt Carter, Walton's Inc., Wichita, KS; Bob Koch, Multivac, Inc., Kansas City, MO; and Jim Wright, VC999 Packaging Systems, Kansas City, MO.

Source: AAMP