Allison (Riddle) Wenther, B.S., M.S. Hometown: Anthon, Iowa Current Residence: Hershey, Pennsylvania

Background and Education
Allison grew up in Anthon, Iowa and graduated with a B.S. in Animal Science from Iowa State University in 2002. During her senior year, she enrolled as a concurrent B.S./M.S. student, and she received her Masters degree in Animal Physiology in 2003. She was the first student in Animal Science to enroll in the concurrent B.S./M.S. program. Following graduation, she was first employed by the Pennsylvania Beef Council as Administrator for the American Veal Association, Director of Veal Quality Assurance and also Director of the Northeast Beef Promotion Initiative. She then worked as Regional Sales & Marketing Associate for Diamond V Mills, Inc. prior to taking her current position.

Current Position
Allison is currently the National Cattlemen's Beef Association Retail Marketing Manager, Eastern Region

Current Work Responsibilities
The Eastern Region Retail Marketing Manager works closely with the entire National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) retail marketing team to implement the industryʼs strategy for increasing beef and veal demand in the retail channel. Allison works as a liaison and a main point of contact with state beef councils within a specified region and targeted supermarket retailers.
Federation of State Beef Councils:
Serve as the representative and information source on NCBA marketing programs with State Beef Councils (SBC's) within a targeted region, working to assist them with the creation and execution of marketing plans aligned with national programs.
Work to coordinate and execute regional SBC meetings, annual SBC survey's and monthly conference calls.
Supermarket Retailers:
Serve as the primary destination for beef and veal knowledge and information to a targeted retail account base. Present and implement marketing programs to corporate headquarters and divisional offices that establish and maintain an advantageous position for beef in the retail supermarket channel.
Coordinate and execute national promotions and programs.

Describe your graduate program at Iowa State:
I conducted research on placental blood transfusion in relation to timing of umbilical cord rupture. I also conducted research on the correlation between placental characteristics and placental retention. I was also involved with research on the effects of bradykinin on vasoconstriction and vasodilation of umbilical vessels, changes in oxygen tension due to initiation of breathing in the newborn, and effects of cloning on the health and performance of the newborn. In addition, I worked as a teaching assistant for Introduction to Animal Science Lab (Animal Science 114L) and Animal Physiology (AnS 224).

In what ways has your degree from ISU impacted your prefessional and personal development?
ISU has impacted my professional and personal development in countless ways. Professionally, Iowa State's extensive and diverse Animal Science Department prepared me for numerous career paths allowing for flexibility in a career choice.  During my graduate and undergraduate degree's, I had the opportunity to meet not only contacts within academia but also within the entire agricultural industry. This network has allowed for many opportunities to prosper since my departure from Iowa State.

What advice would you give to prospective graduate students considering Animal Science at Iowa State?
I strongly encourage any student interested in graduate school to visit Iowa State first hand. The professional atmosphere and environment is one of a kind, unlike any other University I have experienced. 

Allison representing the NEBPI (circa 2007)