SHIC Announces New Board Appointments and Officer Elections

The Swine Health Information Center welcomed two new board members during their meeting June 23-24, 2025. Alayne Johnson of Shady Grove Farms, Churubusco, Indiana, and Sarah Pillen, co-CEO of Pillen Family Farms and DNA Genetics, Columbus, Nebraska, began their terms. Founding board member Mark Schwartz of Schwartz Farms, Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, and Gene Noem of Ames, Iowa, concluded their tenures and were honored for their service.  

he SHIC Board of directors also held an election of officers. Paul Ruen, DVM, Fairmont, Minnesota, was chosen to lead the SHIC Board as its president. Joseph Dykhuis of Dykhuis Farms, Hamilton, Michigan, will assume the role of vice president, and Kent Bang will continue his service as treasurer. Other board members include veterinarians Seth Krantz, Jay Miller, Jeremy Pittman, and Pete Thomas. Organization staff includes Megan Niederwerder, DVM, PhD, executive director, Lisa Becton, DVM, MS, DACVPM, associate director, and Rhea Schirm, grant and contract administrator. 

New Voices on the Board: Forward-Looking Perspectives 

The addition of Alayne Johnson and Sarah Pillen brings fresh insights and experience from diverse segments of the pork production industry to the SHIC Board of Directors. 

Johnson, with her background as a director on the National Pork Board, brings a deep understanding of the industry’s broader strategic priorities. “My interaction with SHIC began as I served as a director on the National Pork Board. It was then that I learned the history of the organization and the importance of the work that they have done for our industry,” Johnson said. She emphasized SHIC’s critical role, “The research SHIC pursues on behalf of producers allows the industry to have a direct impact on both monitoring emerging diseases across the globe as well as looking for solutions that will reduce the impact on our US producers.” 

Johnson lauded SHIC’s established reputation and leadership. “SHIC has built a reputable brand that is recognized amongst those working in the pork industry as well as veterinarians,” she said. “SHIC has tremendous leadership who are passionate about the research mission and dedicated to deploying producer dollars in a meaningful way.” Johnson’s tenure on the Pork Board included chairing the Strategic Planning Task Force, equipping her with comprehensive industry knowledge.