Reflections on My Tenure: A Farewell Address from Outgoing AFIA Board Chair

Written by: Guest   |   May 16, 2024

Board Chair, Board Chair Perspectives, AFIA Board Chair

By: Carlos Gonzalez, Ph.D.

It is difficult to believe that my tenure as the American Feed Industry Association’s Board chair has ended. In some ways, it feels like I just got started and have more goals to accomplish. However, as I look back on this experience, I am appreciative of all that I learned, of the friendships made, and of the incredible staff and Board members that I was fortunate enough to work alongside. Over the course of my years in the feed industry, the AFIA played a significant role in my development and understanding of our landscape and potential future. Besides the current staff and Board, I owe a debt of gratitude to all the past employees and members who have shaped our organization. It has been my great honor to represent the AFIA as Board chair, and I hope I was able to repay some of what AFIA has offered me over the years. 

The AFIA is an excellent organization, with a clear mission and outstanding staff and a wide array of members. Its strength lies in its diversity, but that does not mean it is without its challenges. We have seen issues this year, as in the past, where members’ interests do not always align. However, we must always seek to build consensus and keep the organization moving forward.  

Ours is an organization that takes pride in representing members from a variety of industries and in supporting members of all sizes. It is all of our jobs to ensure that members’ voices are heard, and we must continue to prioritize that.  

For the AFIA to continue on its trajectory of success, we need all members to get involved at all levels - on the Board, in committee meetings, task forces, member interest groups (MIGs), the Institute for Feed Education and Research (IFEEDER), annual meetings and conferences (such as the International Production & Processing Expo, Purchasing and Ingredient Suppliers Conference, Equipment Manufacturers Conference and the Liquid Feed Symposium), with government officials, and internationally (including via the International Feed Industry Federation and International Cooperation for the Convergence of Technical Requirements for the Assessment of Feed Ingredients). 

Our involvement is a commitment, but a worthy one. We must commit not only to ourselves, but to the companies which we represent. As leaders, it is our job to develop and give opportunities to our staff. By encouraging their participation in organizations, such as the AFIA, we support their growth and ensure AFIA’s long-term success.  

In leading the 2023 AFIA Executive Leadership Summit (ELS) Task Force last year, I am most proud of the inaugural Rising Leaders Program. While I learned so much from our ELS speakers, my lasting memory will be of my interactions with the rising leaders. I could not be prouder of our efforts in establishing this program and cannot wait to see what the future holds for our participants. 

I would like to thank all AFIA members for your dedication to this fine organization. It is YOU who is ensuring our industry’s success and are driving our organization forward

To the Board members during my years on the board, I thank you for your dedication, counsel and friendship. I also thank Kent Nutrition Group’s Mike Gauss, previous AFIA Board chair, for his support and friendship over the past year. I relied on Mike for his counsel on numerous occasions.

It is also my honor to pass the gavel to Leigh Ann Sayen, The Peterson Company, as our next AFIA Board chair. It has been a unique pleasure to work with Leigh Ann and learn from her over the past year, and I am confident the Board will be in excellent hands under her leadership.

Finally, I want to thank AFIA President and CEO Constance Cullman and the entire AFIA staff for your dedication and leadership in service of our industry. The expertise you offer is invaluable and we do not thank you enough. It has truly been my pleasure to work with you and get to know you better. You have all been welcoming and passionate, without exception.