American Egg Board names Anne Alonzo president and CEO

The American Egg Board (AEB) has named Anne Alonzo as its president and CEO. At the same time, AEB named its 2016 executive committee, following its annual meeting.

The announcement of the incoming leadership team coincides with AEB’s 40th anniversary, where decades of success through iconic Incredible Edible Egg marketing programs have helped to increase U.S. eggs sales and consumption. 

Alonzo is a recognized leader with significant experience in agriculture, food and sustainability, according to AEB. Dedicating much of her professional life to public service, Alonzo has served in key leadership positions at the U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and was the first environmental diplomat (Attaché) to the U.S. Embassy, Mexico City. She also held leadership positions at Kraft Foods where she was vice president of Global Policy and Corporate Affairs, as the first female chair of the World Cocoa Foundation and as a senior vice president at the National Foreign Trade Council.

 “I’m honored to help lead this organization into its next 40 years of success,” said Alonzo. “Along with the incoming executive committee, it’s a fresh start for AEB against a backdrop of new opportunities and new challenges impacting the industry. AEB has a wonderful opportunity to expand our reach with new partnerships and relationships while bringing education about the benefits of eggs to consumers, retailers, businesses, schools and communities.”

A Chicago native, Alonzo holds an MBA from the University of Chicago and a JD from the Chicago Kent College of Law. She has received various awards and recognitions including for her leadership in the Latino community by "Latina Style" Magazine; "NBC Latino" and named to the "Hispanic Business" Magazine's Corporate 25 Elite Ranking.

Heading the incoming executive committee is Producer Chairman Blair Van Zetten, of Oskaloosa, Iowa. Under Van Zetten’s stewardship, AEB will continue to advance its core mission of increasing demand for eggs and egg products while moving the organization forward to support an evolving egg industry. Joining Van Zetten on the executive committee are Vice chairman Jeff Hardin, Flatonia, Texas; Recording secretary Tom Hertzfeld II, Grand Rapids, Ohio; Treasurer Bob Krouse, Mentone, Ind.; Immediate past chairman Paul Sauder, Lititz, Pa.; Mark Oldenkamp, Woodburn, Ore.; Karyn Kreher, Clarence, N.Y.