Source:  Tom Johnston, MEATINGPLACE.COM, 2/11/11

The National Chicken Council has named Mike Brown its president.  

Brown, currently senior vice president for legislative affairs of the American Meat Institute, will join NCC in March to succeed George Watts, who is retiring after 38 years as president.

“The search committee considered many qualified candidates before recommending Mike Brown’s election to the NCC Executive Committee,” said NCC Chairman Bernard Leonard, who is group vice president of Tyson Foods’ foodservice division.  “We believe that Mike is the person who can lead NCC as it addresses the issues that will shape the future of the industry.”

Brown, 50, currently represents AMI to Congress and the Administration on governmental matters. He also serves as the treasurer of AMI's Political Action Committee.

“I look forward to the challenge of working with the chicken industry and following the great tradition of service and effective representation and leadership set by George Watts,” Brown said.  “I accept this position with enthusiasm.”

Brown joined AMI in May 1995, after serving eight years as a legislative assistant for former Sen. John Warner (R-VA), focusing on agriculture, food safety, labor, immigration, environment, and international trade issues.  Brown also previously worked as a legal publication specialist for the Federal Register, where he was responsible for providing information to Congress, federal agencies, trade associations and others on federal regulations and office programs and publications.