Joel Newman  is AFIA's president, CEO and corporate treasurer. Joel has more than three decades of diverse executive experience in agribusiness, with United Cooperative Farmers, Maple Leaf Foods and Agway. Joel brought an exciting new vision to the association and has effectively led the membership and staff through a landmark era of change. In 2005, Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns appointed Joel to the Agricultural Trade Advisory Committee for Grains, Feed and Oilseeds. Joel represents AFIA on all international issues and is a director of the International Feed Industry Federation (IFIF), headquartered in the United Kingdom. He holds a bachelor's degree in animal science from West Virginia University and an MBA in finance and marketing from Syracuse University.

Richard Sellers  is vice president of feed regulation and nutrition. Sellers heads the Association's feed legislative and regulatory activities with Food & Drug Administration (FDA), Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) and the state feed control agencies. He serves as staff coordinator for the Feed Regulatory Committee, Aquaculture Committee and as technical advisor to the Nutrition Committee. Sellers earned a bachelor's degree in biology from the University of Memphis and a master's degree in animal science from the University of Arkansas. He is a registered as professional animal scientist with the American Registry of Professional Animal Scientists (ARPAS). He can be reached at (703) 558-3569.

Keith Epperson  is vice president of manufacturing and training. Keith joined the AFIA in November 2005 and is the staff contact for the Equipment Manufacturing Committee, Integrator Committee, Production Compliance Committee and Quality Committee. He is a HACCP-certified auditor and also works closely with AFIA's certification programs. Prior to joining AFIA, Keith worked with Kent Feeds Inc. for 29 years, most recently as vice president of Eastern plant operations, quality assurance and safety and training. Keith will be splitting his time between his home office in Osage Beach, Mo. and AFIA's offices in Arlington, Va.

Sarah Novak  is vice president of membership and public relations. Her responsibilities include membership development, promotion, retention and services. She also heads the co-located International Feed Expo planning and organization as well as sponsorship and advertising efforts for publications and major events and generating non-dues revenue. She is the staff contact for the IT Committee, Marketing Committe, PISC Committee and NEMA Committee. Prior to joining AFIA, Sarah was director of membership for the U.S. Grains Council and has industry experience from her employment with Vita Plus and Milk Specialties. Sarah holds a bachelor's degree in animal science and a master's degree in communications from the University of Wisconsin. She can be reached at (703) 558-3574.

Steve Kopperud served as senior vice president of AFIA for 18 years. Currently, Kopperud serves as a legislation consultant for AFIA while also serving as senior vice president of Policy Directions Inc., a Washington, D.C. government affairs company specializing in feed, animal production agriculture, agribusiness, animal health, food, farm policy, trade and ag research/health-related issues.

Leanna Nail  serves as AFIA's director of administration. Nail supervises the AFIA support staff, administers human resources, various other office responsibilities and coordinates printing and mailroom needs. She also serves as staff contact for the Liquid Feed Committee and oversees the annual Liquid Feed Symposium, tonnage survey, Research & Education fund and Liquid Feed Hall of Fame. She attended Drury College in Springfield, Mo. She can be reached at (703) 558-3567.

Veronica Rovelli  is the director of meetings and events for the association. She manages the planning and implementation of various AFIA meetings, webinars and the International Feed Expo. She earned a bachelor’s degree in International Studies from Dickinson College. She can be reached at (703) 558-3563.

Lori Kaye is the marketing and websites manager for the association. She manages the career center, AFIA's websites, designs marketing materials and the Journal and supports various membership efforts. She earned a bachelor’s degree in communications with a concentration in public relations from George Mason University. She can be reached at (703) 558-3570.

Leslie Malone is AFIA’s manager of communications. Her responsibilities include editing FeedGram and the AFIA Journal , in addition to writing news releases, issue advisories and managing AFIA’s social media presence. She works closely with agriculture and consumer media to make sure the feed industry is well represented. She will also be working with the Marketing committee. She earned a bachelor's degree in communications from George Mason University and master's degree from the University of Phoenix. She can be reached at (703) 558-3579.

Tracy Manriquez is AFIA’s membership and communication assistant and also serves as the assistant to the president and CEO, Joel G. Newman. Tracy’s duties include supporting the membership and communication departments. In addition, she will assist with the AFIA annual Membership Directory. She also supports President Newman directly in several areas regarding Board of Directors’ meeting preparation and presentations. Tracy graduated from Brigham Young University with a B.A. degree and is semi-fluent in Spanish. She can be reached at (703) 558-3577.