Biography
Paul Ayers has 15 years of experience with The Maschhoffs LLC, a leading Illinois-based operation with approximately 130,000 sows and market hog production sites in five states. He has valuable business experience in overhead budgets, project management, and employee training and development, having worked cross-departmentally and within the animal care team. He leads foreign animal disease preparedness efforts by participating in industry traceability programs and advisory groups, including US Swine Health Improvement Plan, Secure Pork Supply, AgView, RABapp, and supporting company safety and sustainability programs.
Ayers is or has been involved in several NPB groups, including its animal welfare advisory group, the Common Swine Audit Task Force, the Depopulation and Disposal Task Force (2023) and the Sustainability Task Force (2023). He also has experience with Operation Main Street (2008-2018) and National Pork Producer Council’s Public Policy Leadership Institute. He currently serves on the Producer Services Committee for the Illinois Pork Producers Association and was previously on the board of directors (2014-2020).
Nominating Committee Comments
Studious Paul Ayers is trained to understand science perspectives and articulate the big picture and long-term reality to an on-farm worker. His clear communication with various audiences is helpful in the many practical, production-focused Checkoff task forces he has contributed to. Ayers has experience driving changes and successfully implementing on-farm programs related to animal well-being. He shows enthusiasm for the daily grind of production.
There’s more to serving on a board than sitting in a chair, and Ayers would be willing to speak up to agree or disagree, answer questions, do his own research and come to a consensus. The committee noted how well-prepared and detailed he was, in addition to his understanding of ROI for Checkoff funds, demonstrating his commitment to the role.
At the same time, he understood the value chain component of domestic demand development, as he recited conversations that were already taking place in the boardroom.