Tom Kulas has joined the ΒιΆΉΣ³» Experiment Station’s Wolf Pack Meats facility as the new operations manager. Kulas will be overseeing the operations of the facility, which includes the slaughter, processing and packaging of livestock such as beef, lamb and sheep, swine, and goat.
Wolf Pack Meats is a USDA-approved facility that offers students the opportunity to learn the ins and outs of meat technology while using the industry’s best machinery. Kulas is focusing on continuing the facility’s efforts in teaching, research and outreach to offer students and faculty a first-hand experience in meat production, retail distribution and packaging.
Kulas has been in professional management for over 20 years in various industries, gaining experience in managing and motivating teams and overseeing program finances. He plans to use his knowledge and experience to grow the Wolf Pack Meats team and increase the production of the facility to better serve northern ΒιΆΉΣ³» consumers.
“We are delighted to have been able to bring someone of Tom’s experience in management and business operations to Wolf Pack Meats,” Chris Pritsos, director of the ΒιΆΉΣ³» Experiment Station, said. “Under Tom’s leadership, we expect that Wolf Pack Meats will be able to better serve our students, faculty and stakeholders.”
Located at the Main Station Field Lab in east Reno, Wolf Pack Meats is one of only two meat-processing plants in ΒιΆΉΣ³» capable of providing U.S. Department of Agriculture-inspected harvesting services to local farmers. The facility maintains its own herd, which it uses to study ways to produce meat in greater quantities with higher quality.
“I was looking for something different, and I think this position is going to be an exciting new project for me,” Kulas said. “It’s also great to be part of an organization like the University and have so much support.”
The facility currently harvests about 3,000 animals each year, while providing students with the chance to not only see the commercial process in action, but also receive hands-on training and experience in a real commercial facility.
Kulas is excited to continue to grow the Wolf Pack Meats facility while maintaining the high quality, consistency and safety that students, employees and shoppers expect.
