About Us - Japanese Wagyu Partners

Meet Our Partners

The Japanese Wagyu Marketing Partners, LLC (JWP) is a United States based team of experts working with Japanese Government organizations and their promotional agencies to advance the awareness, distribution, and consumption of authentic, 100% Genuine Japanese Wagyu beef in the United States.

Philip Seng

JWP Partner

Philip is a leading expert on Japan’s intricate distribution system and played a pivotal role in liberalizing the Japanese market as well as markets worldwide.

As President and CEO of the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) for nearly 30 years, he led operations in over 100 countries. He directed USMEF’s strategies in international programs, research, technical services, industry relations, and communications. Under Seng’s leadership, USMEF was recognized by the Morse target as the most influential agricultural organization in Washington, D.C. on Japan.

For over 40 years, Seng has been a leading advocate for international agricultural trade. He served four terms as President of the International Meat Secretariat and headed the Japan-American Society in Colorado. In 2009, he was inducted into the first class of the Meat Industry Hall of Fame. In 2020, Seng received the Order of the Rising Sun Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon for his significant contributions to trade and fostering Japan-U.S. relations.

Tom Lipetzky

JWP Partner

With nearly 40 years in agricultural trade, marketing, and policy, Tom has worked to expand global markets for farmers, ranchers, and agribusinesses. He has held key roles with the Colorado and North Dakota agriculture departments, USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service, and industry groups like the U.S. Meat Export Federation, Potatoes USA, and the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers.

Tom now leads AGgressive Marketing Solutions, advising on marketing, leadership, and policy. He is also a strategist with Philosophy Communication, contributes to Farm Journal’s Ag Economist’s Monthly Monitor, and advises Colorado’s Governor’s Office on agricultural economic trends.

In 2012, Tom led a campaign to restore trust in Rocky Ford cantaloupe after a food safety crisis. His efforts earned the Marketing Excellence Award from North American Agricultural Marketing Officials. Raised on a grain and livestock farm in North Dakota, Tom stays connected to production agriculture through partnerships with young producers leasing his family’s land.

John Recca

JWP Partner

John brings extensive expertise to JWP, drawing on his diverse experience in distributor development, sales management and brand marketing for Fortune 500 consumer packaged goods companies.

Throughout his corporate career, he was instrumental in creating, launching, and promoting numerous brands across the wine, beer, and distilled spirits sectors, collaborating with industry leaders such as Gallo Family Wines, Coors Brewing Company, and Hiram Walker/Allied-Domecq. At Gallo, John helped establish and lead the winery’s foodservice sales division. While at Hiram Walker, he managed marketing for several global brands, including Beefeater Gin and Canadian Club Whisky, a $200 million revenue brand.

He is the owner of Brandwerks Group, where he has created numerous regional and national CPG brands. Originally from Modesto in California’s Central Valley, John grew up immersed in agriculture, assisting his family with walnut and wine grape farming.

The JWMP Center of Excellence

JWP’s Center of Excellence provides expert technical assistance to support importers with their market development efforts. Our team of specialists and partner organizations offer personalized guidance and solutions tailored to address specific challenges importers encounter.