January 30, 2026

USMEF appoints new communications director

The US Meat Export Federation (USMEF) announced that award-winning journalist Ashley Michels will join the organization next month as communications director.

For the past 12 years, Michels has been a news anchor and reporter with KDVR-TV, the Denver area's FOX affiliate, and its sister station, KWGN-TV. She also hosted the weekly public affairs program Colorado Point of View.

"USMEF is very excited to add Ashley Michels to our communications team, where her reporting and analytical skills will be a tremendous asset," said Dan Halstrom, USMEF president and chief executive officer. "Our members depend on USMEF to promptly break down and summarise complex issues from across the globe, and we see this as one of Ashley's many strengths. USMEF also takes great pride in the quality of information we provide to agricultural media, and her skill set will further enhance these efforts."

A graduate of Northern Illinois University, Michels also holds a master's degree in public affairs reporting from the University of Illinois at Springfield.

Prior to working in the Denver television market, she was a multimedia journalist at WCIA-TV in Springfield.

- USMEF