Jan Kramer, general counsel of Versova. Courtesy photo

Sioux Center, Iowa-based Versova, one of the nation's biggest egg suppliers, has tapped its outside counsel Jan Kramer as its first general counsel.

Kramer joins from Bradshaw, Fowler, Proctor & Fairgrave, where she has served as a legal adviser to Versova and its farms for more than 15 years. 

"Having served as outside legal counsel for Versova, I appreciate the company's responsible business practices, commitment to integrity and the principles and values that guide the company's decision-making," Kramer said in a statement.

At Bradshaw Fowler, Kramer focused on criminal defense, employment defense, human resources, agricultural law, environmental law and business law. 

Versova President J.T. Dean said Kramer is a natural fit, having already supported Versova for nearly two decades.

"[Kramer] played a significant role in Versova's acquisitions of egg production operations in Iowa, Washington state and Oregon last year, and as our company continues to grow and diversify, it's essential that we have her exceptional expertise on our team," he said.

The company, which produces shell and liquid eggs, grew its cage-free production by more than 6 million hens in the past decade.

Last year, the company extended its reach beyond Iowa and Ohio, adding Willamette Egg Farms in Moses Lake, Washington, and Canby and Molalla, Oregon. 

With the acquisition of both farms, Versova expects to have more than 10 million hens in cage-free production.