Gary Huddleston is the American Feed Industry Association’s manager of feed manufacturing safety and environmental affairs. He joined the association in May 2015 and has more than 30 years of service in manufacturing.
Huddleston manages AFIA’s efforts surrounding regulatory issues involving the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Transportation. He also works in collaboration with Dr. Henry Turlington, AFIA director of quality and manufacturing regulatory affairs, to develop and coordinate AFIA’s education and training programs.
Prior to joining AFIA, Huddleston was employed at Southern States Cooperative, Inc., since 1984, where he performed numerous roles—from sales to manufacturing—and since 1998 has worked as the plant manager of the Southern States Park City, Ky., location.
Huddleston earned a bachelor’s degree in agribusiness and economics from Tennessee Technological University.
AFIA is the world’s largest organization devoted exclusively to representing the business, legislative and regulatory interests of the animal feed industry and its suppliers. Membership includes 575 domestic and international companies; state, national and regional associations. Firms are feed and pet food manufacturers, integrators, pharmaceutical companies, ingredient suppliers, equipment manufacturers and companies that supply other products, services and supplies to feed manufacturers.
The feed industry makes a major contribution to food safety, nutrition and the environment. It plays a critical role in the production of meat, milk and eggs and provides abundant food at the lowest cost. More than 75 percent of the commercial feed in the United States is manufactured by AFIA members.