Leather and Hide Council of America Holds Annual Meeting Emphasizing Industry’s Sustainability Efforts

Wolverine Worldwide’s Kerry Brozyna Elected Association Co-Chair

Washington, DC, October 22, 2021 – The Leather and Hide Council of America (LHCA or Association) elected seven members to join its Board of Directors and a new association co-chair during its 2nd Annual Meeting and Convention, held October 14-15, in Chicago, Illinois. The hybrid meeting also reinforced the U.S. leather industry’s robust sustainability initiatives and commitment to continuous improvement, while showcasing LHCA’s groundbreaking international marketing campaign that is delivering engaging content about leather’s versatility, beauty and natural characteristics to a global consumer audience.

“The meeting provided an important forum for many of our attendees to reconnect after a particularly difficult year,” said LHCA President Stephen Sothmann. “While perennial challenges, like soft global demand for leather, supply chain disruptions, and international trade issues continue to concern members, the event offered a forward-looking agenda, as attendees learned about the vital work underway to ensure the U.S. leather industry is well-positioned to deliver its high-quality products to a growing consumer and customer base both at home and abroad,” Sothmann added.

Kerry Brozyna, Vice President and General Manager, Wolverine Leathers and Material Sourcing, at Wolverine Worldwide, was selected to replace outgoing Co-Chairman Shep Hermann, Hermann Oak Leather, and will serve alongside Co-Chairman Jay Jensen, Southwest Hide Company.

“I’m humbled by the confidence that the LHCA membership has placed in me, and stand ready to continue my active engagement and advocacy on behalf of the industry,” said LHCA Co-Chairman Brozyna. “I look forward to working alongside Jay Jensen, LHCA staff and the membership to ensure LHCA remains a strong, cohesive and vibrant association. As a group, we must be equipped to confront existing and emerging challenges and seize opportunities that will benefit the entire U.S. leather supply chain.”

The seven Board members each elected to serve a three-year term include Barry Bank, Bank Bros. & Son Ltd.; Keith Hill, ISA TanTec/Auburn; Sarah Drayna, TFL; Adam Vrijhof, JBS USA; Brandon Yoemans, SB Foot Tanning Co.; Bradley Grove, Twin City Hide Co.; and Chris Mullally, Mohawk Trading Co. The Board also approved the ascension of Shane O’Connell, Tyson Fresh Meats, to the Executive Committee.

“The LHCA membership is fortunate to have such capable leaders on both the Executive Committee and Board of Directors,” Sothmann said. “I know Kerry will bring experience, passion and insight to his new role, and I look forward to working with him, Jay, and the rest of the Board to advance and achieve LHCA’s bold, strategic objectives.”

In addition to conducting Association business, LHCA, during the meeting, shared highlights from its Real Leather. Stay Different. (RLSD) global marketing campaign that celebrates the versatility, beauty and sustainability of U.S. leather. Attendees learned about the success of LHCA’s RLSD International Student Design Competition, which is empowering the next generation of designers to value and use leather now and as they grow in their careers.

Discussions about sustainability and climate featured prominently across the two-day event, as renowned experts from the Leather Working Group, Sustainable Leather Foundation, World Wildlife Fund (WWF), The Leather Hour and UK-based Authenticae, Ltd. addressed meeting attendees on topics ranging from leather’s ability to biodegrade more efficiently than its imitations to concrete actions the U.S. and global leather industries are taking to adopt environmental best practices and mitigate adverse impacts. This includes the recently signed Memorandum of Understanding between LHCA and WWF, who have joinied forces to collaborate on a series of initiatives aimed at enhancing Environmental, Social and Governance practices in the U.S. leather industry.

The Annual Meeting and Convention was collocated with LHCA’s Executive Committee and Foundation Board meetings. Members also received updates from the Association’s Hides and Skins, Tanner and Environmental and Marketing and Sustainability Committees.

About LHCA

The Leather and Hide Council of America (LHCA) is a full-service industry trade association representing the entire U.S. leather supply chain, including meatpackers, hides and skins processors, traders, leather tanners, finished leather goods producers, footwear companies, chemical suppliers, and more. The association provides its members with government, public relations, and international trade assistance and support. LHCA is a cooperator organization under the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s foreign market development programs, assisting U.S. firms develop new markets for U.S. agricultural exports. LHCA is at the forefront of the industry’s needs, providing members with education and technical information to compete in today’s global marketplace.