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The U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF), Denver, Colo. Dennis Stiffler, who has served in many volunteer leadership roles for USMEF, was elected chairman, effective Dec. 1. Stiffler is president of Halpern’s Steak and Seafood’s Texas division, and recently retired as chief executive officer of Mountain States Rosen. He maintains 30 years of livestock, meat industry and international marketing experience, and spent 10 years at major universities involved in teaching, research and extension services. During his tenure in academia, Stiffler traveled abroad on numerous occasions representing both USMEF and the U.S. Grains Council in education and market development programs. His first interaction with USMEF was when he was on the faculty at Texas A&M University. He later held various positions in the red meat industry, including the export business. In 2010, as a member of the American Lamb Board, Stiffler was appointed to the USMEF executive committee. Stiffler succeeds Bruce Schmoll, a corn and soybean producer from Minnesota. Meanwhile, Conley Nelson is the new USMEF chair-elect. Nelson is general manager of Smithfield Foods’ hog production division, and served as president of the National Pork Board in 2012-13. Serving as USMEF vice chair is Cevin Jones, who operates Intermountain Beef. The newest USMEF officer is secretary-treasurer Pat Binger, who heads international sales for Cargill Protein Group. A 30-year Cargill employee, Binger first became involved with USMEF more than 25 years ago.