AMSA Staff

American Meat Science Association
201 West Springfield Avenue, Suite 1202
Champaign, Illinois 61820 USA

Phone: 800-517-AMSA (2672)
Fax: 888-205-5834

Thomas Powell, Ph.D., CAE
tpowell@meatscience.org  

Executive Director: Responsible for AMSA business affairs, meat judging program, continuing education, partnership programs, governance

Thomas Powell started his career with AMSA as the meat judging program director in 1996. He holds degrees in food science and animal science from the University of Tennessee and Kansas State University. Prior to joining the AMSA staff, he was an instructor and network specialist at Kansas State University Department of Animal Sciences and Industry. In 1997, he became Executive Director of AMSA and has served in that capacity since. He is an active member of the American Society of Association Executives. He and his wife Joyce live an active life in Savoy, Illinois where they stay busy raising their five children.

Deidrea Mabry, M.S.
dmabry@meatscience.org

Program Director: eNews, web site, student membership, RMC program, member communications

Deidrea Mabry joined the AMSA staff in 2007 as Program Director. She is a graduate of Texas Tech University and holds degrees in agricultural communications and animal science. Prior to joining AMSA staff she worked for the office of the President at Texas Tech and completed a congressional internship in Washington, D.C. as part of her studies. She and her husband Casey live in Wichita, Kansas with their daughters Reyse and Avery.  

Jimmy Wise, Ph.D.
jimmyw@meatscience.org

Meat Judging Program Coordinator: logistics, fund raising and contest arrangements for the intercollegiate meat judging program and the national 4-H meat evaluation and retail identification contest

Jimmy Wise is one of the world's leading authorities in the subject of meat evaluation and grading. After teaching at the University of Nebraska, Jimmy joined the U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Marketing Service where he was instrumental in establishing and maintaining the U.S. beef grading standards that are currently in use. Upon his retirement in 2005, Jimmy joined the staff of the American Meat Science Association where he leads the meat judging programs and serves as the staff liaison to the Intercollegiate Meat Coaches Association. He lives in Mounds, Oklahoma, where he maintains an extensive historical antique collection, including a sizable array of meat industry industry artifacts.

 Nancy Hayes
nhayes@meatscience.org

Event and Membership Manager: meeting planning, member communications and processing, general administration.

Prior to joining AMSA in 2012, Nancy worked in marketing and administrative roles for the banking, advertising and non-profit industries in Illinois and her native California. Her She lives in Monticello with her husband Jeff. Their son is studying at the University of Michigan and their daughter is in management in Urbana, Illinois.