"As a producer-director of the Pork Checkoff, I see so much opportunity in the year ahead," Norton said. "There is great consumer interest in farming and understanding how food is raised and marketed. The Pork Checkoff is up for the challenges facing our industry, chief among them managing diseases like Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus. Sharing our stories of success in research, education and promotion will be a priority for me as we introduce our new five-year strategic plan."

Norton is a partner in Kendale Farm, Bronson, Mich., which is primarily a farrow-to-wean operation with 1,450 sows that also finishes about a third of the pigs. He is involved with a cow/calf operation and raises corn, soybeans, hay, green beans, peppers for processing, and seed corn on more than 3,500 acres. Nationally, he is serving his second three-year term on the National Pork Board. He had served as the Pork Checkoff's representative on the US Farmers & Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) and serves on the Swine Health Committee.

Serving with Norton as vice president is Brad Greenway, a pork producer from Mitchell, S.D. Derrick Sleezer, a pork producer from Cherokee, Iowa, will continue as treasurer. The three executive officers will serve one-year terms in their positions beginning immediately.

"As we look forward to the next five years, our industry is excited to engage with foodservice and retail leaders, as well as consumers, underscoring the versatile, nutritious product that we offer to shoppers in the U.S. and worldwide," Norton said. "It's important that producers continue to build trust and share our commitment with our customers."