Matt Kerns made the most of his time in the Iowa State University Animal Science Department, turning his passion for the livestock industry into a successful career as a leader in the field. 
Growing up on a farrow-to-finish operation in Clearfield, Iowa, Kerns developed an early enthusiasm for the swine industry. This passion led him to pursue a degree in animal science at Iowa State, where he took full advantage of every opportunity. He became the first concurrent-MBA student from the animal science department, which allowed him to gain valuable insight into the business side of the animal science industry.
Beyond academics, Kerns was deeply involved in campus activities as well. He served as President of both Alpha Gamma Rho and the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences Student Council, played key roles in organizing the first-ever Bacon Expo and the final VEISHEA, and participated in several study abroad programs. His leadership and dedication within these leadership roles continue to leave a lasting impact on the university.
Kerns also gained real-world experience through internships with industry leading companies including the Iowa Pork Producers Association, Summit Agricultural Group, Elanco, and Charoen Pokphand Group in Thailand. These experiences gave him a diverse skill set and broadened his understanding of the livestock industry.
When reflecting on his time at Iowa State, Kerns found it impossible to choose just one favorite course. Some of the most influential classes he took included Meat Science, Agricultural Entrepreneurship, Agriculture Markets, and of course, his swine-focused classes, Swine Science and Swine Systems Management. He credits Iowa State’s vast resources for helping him build a diverse foundation for his future career.
After graduating in 2016 with a bachelor’s degree in animal science and a master’s in business administration, Kerns joined Elanco as a Strategic Account Manager on the poultry team. After spending 5 years in Northwest Arkansas, he came back to the industry he was raised in and joined the swine team at Elanco in 2022. He finds the most fulfillment in helping his customers improve their production operations. “My passion isn’t in making sales,” Kerns said. “What I really get excited about is when we’ve done something that truly makes a difference on production for our customers.” He brings this value to life by strategically aligning company resources with customer needs and ensuring they have the tools to improve their operations.
Kerns encourages current and future students to embrace every opportunity. “The only way to understand what you’re interested in is to say yes,” he advises. “There will never be another time when you can explore your interests as freely as you can during your time at Iowa State, so take the risk and say yes.”
From his early passion for the swine industry to his role as a leader in animal science, Matt Kerns’ journey is a testament to the power of passion, persistence and seizing every opportunity.