CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

For Steve, there has never been another alternative. He's always understood the agriculture industry, specifically pork production. His family farm has been raising hogs since the early 1900s. As a fourth-generation pork producer, he took over the family's 60-sow operation in 1981. With a little vision and a whole lot of determination, Steve modernized and expanded the home operation. By 1991, he partnered with another area producer to purchase a 600-sow operation near Richmond, MN in Wakefield Township — the beginning of what is now Wakefield Pork.

Under his leadership, the company has grown to include 57,000 sows cared for by 250 employees, marketing over 1.7 million pigs annually with the help of nearly 250 independent contract growers. Steve spends most of his time overseeing CEO responsibilities, directing the accounting department, and guiding WPI's management team. One responsibility he can't seem to part with is pig movement — he likes staying connected to daily operations so he doesn't lose touch with the culture of the people within Wakefield Pork.

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

After considering herself a "town girl" throughout her childhood, Mary took the plunge and married a "farm boy" — which meant a change of daily life from town to the farm. She spent the first 15 years of her professional career in the banking industry before the growing demands of the farm operation pulled her into agriculture full-time.

Over the past 34 years at Wakefield Pork, Mary has worn many hats — from early farm and administrative duties to her current role overseeing human resources, operations, and much more. Beyond WPI, she has served on numerous industry committees, including the NPB's Chair of Production Services and the Minnesota Human Capital Committee, and has hosted multiple consumer tours. Mary is especially passionate about leadership development and has been instrumental in shaping WPI's intern program, dedicated to creating ownership opportunities and meaningful experiences for the industry's next generation of leaders. Mary and her husband Steve still live on the Langhorst "home farm," where there is a modern-day sow farm as well as a cropping operation.

GENERAL MANAGER

Growing up in agriculture and learning all the tasks that go along with raising pigs, Lincoln understood at a very young age what it takes to be involved in the industry. The insight gained as an adolescent not only taught him the operational side of farming but also helped him realize that strong business skills would be needed to keep up with the ever-changing technology and practices in modern agriculture.

After earning his Bachelor's degree in Business Management from Augsburg College, Lincoln spent six years learning business practices and techniques in the logistics industry in Minneapolis. In 2008, he earned his MBA from Hamline University in St. Paul and returned to the family business at Wakefield Pork. Today, Lincoln oversees the sales and marketing aspects of the organization as well as the day-to-day operational side of the business. Lincoln, his wife Jackie, and their two boys reside in Mankato, MN — just a few miles from what is considered the Langhorst "home farm."

CHIEF PRODUCTION OFFICER

Todd grew up on a family farm in northeast Nebraska and earned his Bachelor's degree in Animal Science from the University of Nebraska. After graduating, he began building his career in the swine industry. In his current role at Wakefield Pork, Todd specializes in genetics, construction management, animal welfare and productivity, and environmental services and permitting. He also currently serves on the National Pork Producers Council Board of Directors. Todd resides in Sleepy Eye, MN with his wife, Jodie.

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

Justin has been with Wakefield Pork since 2007, bringing five years of public accounting experience in tax and audit when he joined. He started as the company's Controller, overseeing transaction recording and budgeting across all barn sites. In 2017, he was promoted to Chief Financial Officer, where he took on broader financial leadership while continuing to guide the company's financial operations as WPI grew. Justin resides in North Mankato and spends his free time with his wife and two children.

HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR

Briana brings nearly two decades of experience in human resources and leadership to her role at Wakefield. She joined the team in May 2024 as Human Resources Director, where she provides strategic leadership and oversight across all HR functions.

In her role, Briana focuses on building and maintaining a high-performing workforce, fostering a positive workplace culture, and ensuring HR practices align with the company's long-term goals. She serves as a trusted advisor to both leadership and employees, drawing on a deep understanding of employment law and best practices to support the people who keep WPI moving forward.

HEAD OF FARROWING

Mike's start in the pork industry began in 1983 when his family moved to the Trimont area, where they had a handful of sows on the family farm. After high school, he briefly pursued accounting at Mankato State before realizing it wasn't for him and following his passion back to pigs — earning his degree in Animal Science from the University of Minnesota-Waseca. Early in his career, Mike worked at farms throughout southern Minnesota in just about every role imaginable, from breeding and farrowing to wean-to-finish and everything in between.

Mike joined Wakefield in 1994, starting in nursery and finish duties at the Langhorst "home farm." Over his 30-plus years with the company, he has managed multiple sow farms, served as a Farrowing Field Supervisor visiting sites to improve production, and steadily taken on greater responsibility. Today, as Head of Farrowing, Mike oversees all sows in Wakefield's system — a drastic increase from the handful of sows he grew up with on the family farm. Mike and his wife Ann reside in Lafayette.

HEAD OF GROW FINISH

Bill joined Wakefield in 1997 after getting to know the company through his work in the feed business — and quickly found the pig industry to be where he wanted to build his career. He started out in field service, working directly with contract growers, and soon took on an additional role helping sign up new and existing barns with potential growers.

In 2013, following the retirement of Chuck Peters, Bill stepped into the role of Head of Grow Finish, where he continues to oversee the department and its operations today. With nearly three decades at WPI, Bill brings deep industry knowledge and long-standing grower relationships to everything he does.

HEAD OF TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT

Neal grew up in southern Illinois and has spent over 25 years in the swine industry. Before joining Wakefield, he built an extensive background in sow production and farm management, giving him a deep understanding of the people and day-to-day work that drive this business.

Neal joined WPI in 2015 in a support role, working directly with specific farms and helping employees and teams perform at their best. He now serves as Head of Training and Development, where he focuses on coaching, training, and supporting employees across the organization as they grow in their roles. Neal takes pride in working alongside team members and helping create an environment where people can learn, develop, and succeed.

SENIOR FIELD REPRESENTATIVE

Trey's roots in agriculture run deep. He grew up on a hog farm, spent summers working in paving, and studied Agronomy at Ridgewater College before transferring to South Dakota State University to pursue Animal Science. During college, he spent three years in another system, gaining hands-on experience in nursery and sow operations.

Trey joined Wakefield in May 2015 and has steadily grown with the company — moving from Herdsperson to Custom Finish Department Lead, Custom Finish Manager, and Grow Finish Field Representative, working directly with contract growers to help them meet production goals. In 2023, he stepped into his current role as Senior Grow Finish Representative, where he coordinates markets with packers, truckers, and growers while helping oversee the full grow finish operation alongside other field reps.

Outside of work, Trey farms, hunts, and fishes. He lives just north of New Ulm with his wife and two daughters — and built his own hog barn in 2018.

GROW FINISH FIELD REPRESENTATIVE

Dean brings a well-rounded background in agriculture and hands-on work to his role at Wakefield. Before joining the team in January 2013, he spent five years crop farming with his family and four years in the construction industry — experience that gives him a practical understanding of the challenges producers face every day.

As a Field Representative, Dean built strong relationships with contract growers through daily herd health visits, helping operations stay on track with production targets. In January 2025, he stepped into the role of Senior Field Representative, where he now trains new field staff, oversees animal health programs, and works with growers on confinement evaluation, building maintenance, and long-term facility planning.