HAMILTON, Mich., Dec. 6, 2022 – Michigan Allied Poultry Industries (MAPI), the statewide, non-profit, trade organization representing Michigan’s egg, chicken and turkey farmers, announced the hire of their new executive director, Dr. Nancy Barr, DVM.
Dr. Barr will begin Jan 2023, working to maintain MAPI’s mission and vision to protect and advance Michigan’s poultry industry. She will take the place of Allison Brink, the organization’s executive director since 2016.
“During the past several years, Allison has successfully navigated Michigan’s poultry industry through significant changes in the egg, broiler, and turkey markets, transforming MAPI from a modest, family-farmer organization into one with influence in the state agriculture community,” said Mat Stutzman, President of the MAPI board of directors. “While we will miss Allison’s direct influence on the industry, we are eager to have Nancy’s deep poultry experience and her established relationships with our farmers. The board sees her as someone who will take MAPI to the next level, while maintaining the family-owned, community-involved culture we’ve created.”
Barr is a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine who has spent the past 23 years in varying roles at the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, including her latest position as Assistant State Veterinarian, focusing on statewide animal care. She has been a veterinary specialist focusing on the implementation of protocols for disease preparedness, surveillance, and response for poultry and a senior field veterinarian that oversaw the avian influenza surveillance component of the National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP) and developed the state avian influenza response and containment plan for poultry in conjunction with NPIP partner groups.
In her new role, Barr will represent poultry and egg producers in the state of Michigan while developing and implementing a strategic plan, including priorities for programs and a sustainable financial plan. She will also be responsible for overseeing all aspects of the day-to-day operations of MAPI like fund development, events, marketing, and board management
“Helping MAPI grow and evolve will be a new and exciting challenge for me in the upcoming years,” said Barr. “We have an incredible association of farming families who care about the health and safety of their animals and feeding families across the United States. Allison gave this organization structure and a path forward, and I am eager to build upon that foundation.”
About Michigan Allied Poultry Industries
Michigan Allied Poultry Industries, Inc. (MAPI) is a non-profit statewide trade organization representing Michigan’s egg, chicken and turkey farmers and their young stock network of breeders, hatcheries and pullet growers. Michigan poultry producers formed MAPI in 1940 to collaborate on issues facing the industry. Today, the organization is still farmer-led, working together for the advancement and prosperity of Michigan’s poultry industry.
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