Pork board CEO Chris Hodges leaving after less than a year

DES MOINES, Iowa —  The National Pork Board’s chief executive officer, Chris Hodges, will leave his position effective Dec. 31. The pork board, which made the announcement Dec. 15, is not commenting further.

Hodges, previously a senior vice president with Smithfield Farmland, had only been on the job since Feb. 16, 2015.

The National Pork Board will discuss the search process for Hodges’ replacement at its January board meeting, and details of the search process will be finalized and announced following that meeting. During the transition, John Johnson, chief operating officer, and the senior management team will continue to oversee the many initiatives currently underway, including implementation of all 2016 program activities.