The International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE) is pleased to recognize the 2027 Young Leaders Under 30 honorees, highlighting the next generation of professionals making an impact across the industry. This award celebrates emerging talent and provides recipients with valuable recognition and opportunities to connect with industry leaders at the world’s largest annual trade show dedicated to the production and processing of meat, poultry and egg products, as well as the production of animal feed and pet food.

The 2027 IPPE Young Leaders Under 30 Award honorees are as follows:

• Grayson Adams, Fieldale Farms Corporation
• Ashby Austin, Aviagen
• Jacob Bagby, Tyson Foods 
• Cassity Brown, Standard Meat Company 
• Michael Brown, Wayne-Sanderson Farms
• Mary Byrd, Prestage Farms 
• Sophie Bytnar, Mountaire Farms 
• Abby Campbell, Peco Foods
• Maria Joselyn Castellon Chicas, Pilgrim’s 
• Cade Davis, Peco Foods 
• Jenna Decker, Perdue Farms 
• Ana Dias, Claxton Poultry 
• Joaquin Esquivel, Reser’s Fine Foods 
• Youry Gonzalez, Pilgrim’s
• Victor Guevara Castanon, Pilgrim’s 
• Emily Hopson, TFP Nutrition
• Derek Houston, Case Farms 
• Alexa Johnson, Butterball LLC 
• Katelyn Kinsella, Cooper Farms 
• Donell Kleiboeker, 3D Corporate Solutions
• Ashley Kolb, Perdue Farms 
• Ashlyn Lewton-Navarro, Pilgrim’s 
• Loren Lindler, FPL Food LLC 
• Clay Maynard, Tyson Foods 
• Harry McAdams, Perdue AgriBusiness 
• Noah McWilliams, Farbest Foods 
• Rushali Mistry, Miniat
• Baptiste Nevejans, Hubbard 
• Abbey Pollok, Tyson Foods 
• Stephanie Reyes, Wayne-Sanderson Farms 
• Grant Tarvin, Wayne-Sanderson Farms
• Hayes Thompson, Wayne-Sanderson Farms 
• Madison Turano, Perdue Farms 
• Shelby Walther, Kalmbach Feeds/Poultry Partners 
• Colton Zumbrun, Weaver Eggs Inc.

“The future of our industry depends on the talent, innovation and leadership of the next generation,” said IPPE show management. “Each year, we are impressed by the dedication and enthusiasm demonstrated by the young professionals who apply for this program. We congratulate the 2027 honorees and look forward to providing them with opportunities to build meaningful connections, expand their industry knowledge and further develop as future leaders.”

The selected recipients will enjoy complimentary access to the Expo, IPPE-assigned complimentary hotel accommodations for Tuesday and Wednesday nights, access to all non-fee-based educational programs and registration for one paid educational program offered at IPPE. They will also receive a VIP tour of the trade show floor, breakfast with a keynote speaker, a plaque recognizing their status as a "Young Leader" that will be presented in the Discovery Zone Booth BC34088 on the Expo floor at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 27, and complimentary registration to the 2028 IPPE.

Save the date and join us in celebrating the rising stars of the poultry, egg, meat and animal food industries. Register now.