CHICAGO — The American Egg Board announces its newly appointed members and alternates following the recent 2026 Annual Spring Meeting, reinforcing the producer leadership behind the national egg checkoff.
AEB is composed of egg producers from across the country, representing the depth and diversity of the U.S. egg industry, the group noted in its announcement. Together, they direct the organization’s work on behalf of America’s egg farmers.
The new slate of AEB officers for the upcoming term will be:
· Andy Seger, Wabash Valley, chair.
· Ross Dean, Versova, vice chair.
· Tony Wesner, Rose Acre Farms, secretary.
· John Watson III, Braswell Family Farms, treasurer.
· Sara Stiebrs, Stiebrs Farms, member at-large.
· Natalie Held, Kreher Family Farms, member at-large.
· Alex Simpson, Simpson’s Eggs, immediate past chair.
“AEB’s strength begins with the producers who lead it,” Emily Metz, AEB president and CEO, said. “Their experience, discipline and commitment ensure that we stay focused on what matters most: building demand, strengthening trust in eggs and putting eggs at the center of the American diet.”
The following members and alternates were appointed to serve on AEB: Tony Wesner, Pantego, N.C.; Natalie Held, Clarence, N.Y.; Gijs Schimmel, Lexington, Ga.; Alex Simpson, Monroe, N.C.; Matt Resnick, Lancaster, Pa.; Chris Pierce, Annville, Pa.; Andrew Seger, Dubois, Ind.; Amy Herbruck, Saranac, Mich.; Bryce McCory, Seymour, Ind.; Michael Willmann, Portland, Ind.; Kurt Nelson, Neosho, Mo.; Ross Dean, Des Moines, Iowa; Justin Haats, Howard Lake, Minn.; John Bedell, Modesto, Calif.; Melanie Johnson, Elberta, Utah; David Will, Colton, Calif.; Michael Bowman, Sioux Center, Iowa; Brent Nelson, Manhattan, Kan.; Jasen Urena, Fullerton, Calif.; Sara Stiebrs, Yelm, Wash.; and Evan Hayes, Newton, Iowa.
The following producers are also currently serving existing terms: Jessica Hanslik, Ridgeland, Miss.; John Puglisi, Howell, N.J.; John Watson III, Nashville, N.C.; Libby Schwab, Monroe, N.H.; Mark Sauder, Lititz, Pa.; Lake Wagner, Abingdon, Va.; Thomas Hertzfeld III, Grand Rapids, Ohio; Jeff Cutler, Fort Recovery, Ohio; Sean Delano, Smithton, Mo.; Tim Zweering, Holland, Mich.; Mitch Knapke, New Weston, Ohio; Alex Weaver, Versailles, Ohio; Emily Battilega, Sioux Center, Iowa; and Tracy Ramsdell, Flandreau, S.D.;
AEB also noted that it recognizes with appreciation the service of the producers whose terms have concluded: Sandra Lausecker, Raymond, Ohio; Sam Krouse, North Manchester, Ind.; Christina Hudson-Kohler, Eldridge, N.Y.; Mindy Creighton-Truex, Atwood, Ind.; Ted Greidanus, Neosho, Mo.; Clint Hickman, Buckeye, Ariz.; and Pat Melena, Wakefield, Neb.
“We are especially grateful to our board members whose terms have ended. They have shown invaluable guidance and support for our work,” Metz added. “Our Board members bring practical, producer-led perspective to every decision we make. That leadership matters as the industry continues navigating market volatility, consumer expectations and new opportunities to put eggs at the center of the American diet.”
