Dave Pyburn, DVM, has been named the National Pork Board’s new senior vice president of science and technology. Pyburn joined the Pork Checkoff staff in 2013 and was serving as assistant vice president in the science and technology department.
As senior vice president of science and technology, Pyburn will report to National Pork Board CEO Chris Hodges and lead the science programs and research priorities of the organization. He will also participate in the six volunteer pork producer committees that assist in prioritizing scientific focus and will manage the on-staff team of experts.
“Dr. Pyburn is a respected and demonstrated leader in the swine science industry and has proven himself as both a qualified academic, and as a leader of his team,” said Hodges. “Dave’s professional history encompasses on-the-farm practical work, government experience and he was also previously the director of veterinary science at the National Pork Producers Council. Dave has many progressive ideas for this team and our industry, and we are looking forward to him starting his new role immediately.”
Through his more than 20 years of professional experience, Pyburn has developed a comprehensive view of all aspects of pork production. That includes specific areas of expertise including animal science, swine health and welfare, pork safety and nutrition, producer and public health and sustainability. This complete view of the swine industry is key to address the science and technology challenges and opportunities that face the industry.
“People want to understand where their food comes from, and so much of that work in the pork industry is through science and research,” said Pyburn. “How we communicate to pig farmers, allied industry, key influencers and academics and the science community is critical. I look forward to sharing the strong work and story of continuous improvement that the Pork Checkoff has led over the past two decades.”
Pyburn joined the National Pork Board in 2013, and previously served 13 years as the senior veterinary medical officer at the United States Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Veterinary Services. In that role, he was responsible for setting the department’s priorities, budget and implementation of swine health programs. Pyburn was with the National Pork Producers Council from 1997 to 2000 and, prior to that, a practicing veterinarian in Iowa.
Pyburn is a published researcher and presenter. He is also a member of several professional organizations including American Veterinary Medical Association, Iowa Veterinary Medical Association, United States Animal Health Association, National Institute for Animal Agriculture, and American Association of Swine Veterinarians (AASV). Through AASV, he currently serves on the Foreign Animal Disease Committee, the Pork Safety Committee and the Influenza Committee.
Pyburn has his undergraduate degree from Drake University, Des Moines, and earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (with distinction) from Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa. Pyburn and his family live in Ankeny, Iowa.
The National Pork Board will begin an immediate search for an assistant vice president in the Science and Technology department in order to fill the role that Pyburn leaves open with this move.
