Mark Waller, sales and processing director for Ingram Farms, was named US POULTRY’s Workhorse of the Year during the International Poultry Expo, part of the 2020 International Production & Processing Expo. The poultry industry’s most prestigious honor is awarded annually in recognition of dedicated service and valuable leadership given to the Association and poultry industry.
Waller was “collared” with the long-established horse collar by 2019 Workhorse of the Year recipient, Mike Robach, retired vice president, Corporate Food Safety, Quality & Regulatory for Cargill. He was also presented with a commemorative plaque.
“We are honored to recognize Mark with this special award and acknowledge his many contributions to the poultry industry. We are deeply appreciative of his efforts on behalf of the Association, the US POULTRY Foundation and the industry,” remarked John Prestage, senior vice president, Prestage Farms, and outgoing US POULTRY chairman.
Waller is a graduate of Mississippi State University where he received his Bachelor of Science in Poultry Science. Prior to joining Ingram Farms in 1998, he was with Tyson Foods for 19 years where he served as processing plant manager and complex manager.
Throughout his time in the poultry industry, Mark has been active in the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association (USPOULTRY), Arkansas Poultry Federation and the Alabama Poultry & Egg Association. He is a past chairman of US POULTRY and has served on the board of directors since 2005. He served on the executive committee of the Alabama Poultry & Egg Association from 1995 to 2000 and was president from 1998 to 1999. He also served on the executive committee of the Alabama Feed & Grain Association, where he chaired several committees and was instrumental in setting up the financial Association scholarship investment portfolio.
“Mark is one of those individuals, through his volunteerism, who has had not only a tremendous impact on USPOULTRY and our Foundation, but the industry as a whole. He changed our industry. We are most grateful to him,” said John Starkey, president of US POULTRY.
