Animal agriculture veteran retires from NARA

ALEXANDRIA, VA. — David L. Meeker, PhD, current Senior Vice President of the North American Renderers Association (NARA) and Research Director of the Fats and Proteins Research Foundation (FPRF), is retiring at the end of the year.

“Dr. Meeker’s work has been instrumental in our organization,” said Kent Swisher, President and CEO of NARA and FPRF. “We appreciate his time and dedication to NARA and FPRF and wish him all the best in his retirement.”

According to NARA, Meeker has spent “his whole life” in the livestock industry and more than 18 years with the association.

Previously, Meeker held scientific and management positions at the National Turkey Federation (NTF) and the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC). He was director of the National Academy of Sciences’ Council on Agriculture and Natural Resources and an associate professor at Ohio State University. Meeker has served as president of the US Animal Health Association, a member of the Scientific Advisory Committee of the World Renderers Organization (WRO), and a member of the USDA Secretary’s Advisory Committee on Animal Health.

While at NARA, he served as scientific and technical advisor on scientific issues, animal disease and feed safety and also served as research director for NARA’s research arm, FPRF. He initiated and managed many successful programs and projects during his tenure at NARA. He successfully led the association through a number of negotiations, including drafting rules for the FDA regarding bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) as well as drafting rules for the Modernization Act. food safety (FSMA). He also started a collaborative research effort that resulted in the creation of the Pet Food Alliance.

“Working for renderers at NARA has been the best of any role I’ve had in science and agriculture,” Meeker said. “I will miss the daily connections with the great people in this industry and its stakeholders.”

Meeker’s last day will be December 31, 2022. NARA has chosen the leadership to replace Meeker once he retires and will announce the selection before the end of the year.