The U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) announced the 2024 recipients of its two most prestigious awards, who will be honored Nov. 7th at the USMEF Strategic Planning Conference in Tucson, Arizona.
Nick Giordano, the former lead lobbyist for the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) will receive the Michael J. Mansfield Award. USMEF established this award in recognition of the U.S. Senate majority leader and ambassador to Japan whose five decades of government service advanced U.S. trade relations throughout the world. Giordano joined NPPC in 1995, and for more than a quarter-century was deeply involved in negotiating every major trade initiative impacting U.S. agriculture, working to expand, protect and preserve international market share for U.S. pork.
Mark Jagels, a fourth-generation farmer and livestock producer from Davenport, Nebraska, will receive the USMEF Distinguished Service Award. This award honors outstanding figures in the red meat industry who exemplify the exceptional, individual dedication responsible for the federation’s success. Jagels became involved with USMEF through the Nebraska Corn Board, a longtime member and supporter of the federation. He would eventually join the USMEF Executive Committee and chaired the organization in 2014-15.
For more information, visit usmef.org.
