The North Carolina Pork Council has recently unveiled its leadership roster for the upcoming term, marking a significant pivot in the organization’s governance structure. Jay Archer has been designated to spearhead the Council as its new president, bringing fresh perspectives to the pork industry’s prominent advocacy group. The announcement arrives during a period of energetic transformation for the state’s pork sector.
Josh Coombs of Clinton will occupy the vice president position, while Lorenda Overman from Goldsboro has secured the secretary/treasurer role. Jennifer Daniels, hailing from Autryville, completes the executive committee, forming a diverse leadership quartet that represents various geographic regions across the state’s pork landscape.
The Council’s leadership transition happens alongside their continued dedication to fostering upcoming talent through the Pork Leadership Carolina program. This project enables young professionals across North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia to engage in comprehensive development over a twelve-month cycle. Participants delve into pressing matters confronting the industry and acquire abilities to communicate effectively about their agricultural operations. The initiative welcomes a wide spectrum of industry stakeholders – from academic learners to established farmers and allied partners throughout the pork ecosystem.
Roy Lee Lindsey, who serves as the CEO of the NC Pork Council, has emphasized the urgent necessity of cultivating capable leadership. “Associations like the North Carolina Pork Council are only as successful as the leadership available to the association allows,” Lindsey noted, underscoring the imperative nature of member development for the organization’s continued vitality. This philosophy drives much of the Council’s educational endeavors.
The leadership announcement coincides with the approaching 2025 Annual Conference, scheduled for February. The event stands as the paramount educational and networking opportunity for North Carolina’s pork industry professionals. Throughout these gatherings, knowledge sharing occurs between established veterans and emerging voices in the field.
Recognition of exceptional contributions remains central to the Council’s mission. In April 2025, six distinguished leaders received honors for their excellence, innovation and service to the pork industry during the annual conference in Raleigh. Among these noteworthy individuals, Dexter Edwards of Beulaville achieved induction into the North Carolina Pork Hall of Fame – an achievement that acknowledges his nearly five-decade commitment to advancing the state’s pork production capabilities.
Edwards’ journey into hog farming began unusually early, when his father presented him with a gilt on his sixth birthday. His subsequent career included prominent positions at Carroll’s Foods and later Smithfield, where his responsibilities extended to managing 420,000 sows and producing 10 million market hogs annually – a staggering volume that underscores the scale of North Carolina’s pork operations. His civic engagements included roles as Duplin County commissioner, NC Pork Council board member, and Duplin County Farm Bureau president before receiving his Hall of Fame distinction.
The pork industry across North Carolina continues evolving beyond traditional strongholds. While eastern regions have historically dominated production, farmers like Everett Johnson and his family have established successful pig farming operations in other parts of the state, demonstrating the industry’s geographic expansion.
For aspiring leaders, the Pork Leadership Carolina program accepts applications through early March each year. The program structure involves three mandatory sessions followed by voluntary engagement opportunities. In its inaugural year, participants received comprehensive exposure to industry challenges, including a two-day Raleigh session, government and policy discussions with the NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, meetings with legislative leaders, and a Washington, D.C. expedition.
As the Council advances under its fresh leadership team, the focus remains steady on preparing the sector for inevitable challenges while capitalized on emerging possibilities. The interplay between established expertise and new perspectives will likely shape North Carolina’s pork industry trajectory through 2025 and beyond, though some industry analysts question whether expansion can maintain its current trajectory amid evolving regulatory landscapes.