John Mabry has been selected as the new director for the Iowa Pork Industry Center at Iowa State starting April 1.

Mabry has been a professor at the University of Georgia at Athens since 1979 in the areas of animal and dairy science. Prior to this, he held a faculty position at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls.

He will be filling the position formerly held by ISU animal scientist Lauren Christian, who died in November 1998.

“The position was advertised widely, not only in the industry publications, but also in professional publications to try to attract a wide range of applicants,” said Dennis Marple, head of the animal science department.

The search committee for the office consisted of a 13-member committee, Marple said.

“Of those applications received, we elected to interview three people,” Marple said. “Through the interview process, we were pleased to see the enthusiasm that Dr. Mabry expressed for the position.”

Mabry’s knowledge, research skills and work experience with swine producers aided in qualifying him for the position, Marple said.

“[He has a lot of experience] working with issues facing the swine industry,” he said.

James McKean, director of Vet Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine, said Mabry’s skills will be an asset in meeting the Pork Industry Center’s goals.

“The center’s mission is to help the Iowa pork producers increase their competitiveness in the world markets, and his skills will play well into that mission, particularly in the area of production and the selection of appropriate breeding stock,” he said.

McKean said Mabry has a wide range of knowledge in the industry.

“He has both a national and international reputation in terms of his skills in the area of pork production and the selection of breeding stock,” he said.

Mabry received his master’s degree and Ph.D. from Iowa State and earned his bachelor’s degree from Oklahoma State University.

His research focuses on designing and implementing systems to maximize the herd’s genetic progress and profitability, along with integrating the use of computerized data management systems for swine production.