Page 26 - RenderAug25

Reflections From the NARA Central
Region Convention
Story and Photos by Jacki Kaluzny Vollmer of Kaluzny Bros. Inc.
Members and partners of the rendering industry gathered June 10–12 at The Abbey Resort in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, for the annual North American Renderers Association Central Region Convention. The event offered attendees a rich blend of education, technology, networking and forward-looking dialogue.
The convention opened with a keynote from motivational speaker Matt Brauning, whose talk, “The Firebox Principle: Unlocking Motivation That Lasts,” set an energizing tone. Brauning’s presentation centered around uncovering the secret to building authentic, enduring motivation that fuels performance and drives success. As a takeaway, participants uncovered which of the seven firebox motivational drivers best suited their leadership style — a helpful tool in understanding oneself and how to maximize drivers within their own teams.
Andrew Harker from The Russell Group tackled trade policy, tariffs and government reforms, including the Department of Government Efficiency. He went into detail on the status of the budget negotiations, “Make America Healthy Again,” and the Farm Bill’s progress.
The afternoon highlighted advances in rendering technology. Greg Rawe of The Dupps Co. showcased cutting-edge equipment innovations helping processors improve efficiency and quality. Steve Pennington of Flottweg presented developments in decanter centrifuge and separation technologies.
Dr. Charles Starkey, representing NARA and the Fats and Proteins Research Foundation, provided updates on FPRF’s ongoing research projects and NARA’s scientific services work. The first day then wrapped with a vendor tabletop event, giving participants a chance to explore new offerings from suppliers and build relationships with them and their peers over cocktails and appetizers.
The second day began with Dana Johnson Downing, NARA’s senior vice president of international programs, providing an update on the association’s communications and educational outreach. The session highlighted both domestic and international work to raise awareness of rendering’s role in sustainability and food systems. She then switched hats to give updates on the International Marketing efforts of NARA, including new efforts in Africa.
24 August 2025 Render
A standout panel moderated by Sanimax’s Mike Karmen followed, featuring Dr. Darlene Konkle, Wisconsin state veterinarian, and Dr. Erik Jopp, assistant director at the Minnesota Board of Animal Health. Their panel discussion addressed:
• Biosecurity challenges.
• The ongoing response to avian influenza.
• Inspection protocols.
• Future expectations for animal health oversight.
• Ways renderers can better partner with their local boards
of animal health and other areas of opportunity between
renderers and the state.
Mark Lies of the Seyfarth Shaw law firm offered critical
updates on employment law and Occupational Safety and Health Administration compliance — a session especially valued by professionals in the room with operations and human resource responsibilities. Lies and his Seyfarth Shaw partner, Adam Young, were perennial speakers at the convention long before they started writing the “Labor and the Law” columns that appear in every issue of Render. Their real-life examples of everyday scenarios that can happen to renderers continue to be an important reinforcement of the responsibility we have regarding the health and safety of our employees.
The day’s speakers concluded with Magnattack’s Kevin Baker introducing attendees to the latest in magnetic separation solutions — a niche but essential technology in rendering facilities. All of the speakers elicited tremendous audience response with plenty of questions, comments and observation relating to operations.
Social events during the convention included a golf tournament, fishing on Lake Geneva, and a dinner cruise aboard Lake Geneva Cruise Lines — a scenic highlight that fostered relaxed connection and informal dialogue over dinner, drinks and historical background on the Geneva Lake area. Golf and fishing accomplishments were recognized onboard with appropriate prizes.
The final morning featured a business meeting of the NARA Central Region, offering updates on organizational activities and governance before closing the convention. At that meeting, the region voted to contribute monies to FPRF specifically for research on hides, given their extremely depressed prices and future market outlook for leather uses. The region would also like to challenge other NARA regions to join in funding this endeavor and, possibly, including other associations as well.
The 2025 Central Region Convention showcased the strength of the rendering community: its technical expertise, commitment to research and deep engagement with issues that matter, from global trade to public health to worker safety.
NARA extends its gratitude to Central Region President Robert Kaluzny and Jacki Kaluzny Vollmer of Kaluzny Bros. Inc. for organizing the event. A special thanks goes out to all speakers, sponsors and attendees for their contributions. We enthusiastically look forward to continued momentum with next year’s convention tentatively scheduled at the Eagle Ridge Resort and Spa in Galena, Illinois, June 10-12, 2026, under the leadership of the new NARA Central Region President Ryan Berkey of Darling Ingredients. R
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