LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A Minnesota man has been hired to become executive director of the Nebraska Pork Producers Association.

The association says Alan Juhnke, of Willmar, Minnesota, will take over in January. He replaces Larry Sitzman, who has retired.

Association President Scott Spilker says Juhnke “will bring leadership and creativity to the association. He has an extensive public and private agriculture background and is experienced in public policy.”

The association is a nonprofit organization established in 1961 to promote the pork industry.