The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced the appointment of 36 members to serve on the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board. Thirty-five members will serve three-year terms, and one member will serve a two-year term. The terms of the new appointees will begin February 2025.
Newly appointed members are:
- Arizona – Sine Kerr, Buckeye
- Colorado – Angelina Kelleghan, Loma
- Iowa – E. Michael Holden, Scranton; and Amy Glick, Solon
- Kansas – Evan Lesser, Palco; and Larry Kendig, Osborne
- Louisiana – John M. Thompson, Saint Francisville
- Michigan – Monte J. Bordner, Sturgis
- Minnesota – Bill Post, Chandler
- Mississippi –Janet Gent Parker, Seminary
- Missouri – Mark Anthony Fellwock, Monett
- Nebraska – Becky R. Potmesil, Alliance; Joyce Racicky, Mason City; and Joan Ruskamp, Dodge (2-year term)
- New Mexico – Boe C. Lopez, Springer
- North Carolina – Brian D. Warren, Newton Grove
- Oklahoma – Leanne Robison, Stillwater;
- South Dakota – VeaBea Thomas, Harrold; and Oren L. Lesmeister, Parade
- Tennessee – Gary W. Daniel, Cypress Inn
- Texas – Wesley D. Ratcliff, Oakwood; Amy Kirkland, Vega; Jared K. Ranly, D.V.M., Lott; and David Henderson, Tennessee Colony
- Utah – Mark J. Wintch, Milford
- Wisconsin – Arin Crooks, Lancaster; and Steve Springer, Linden
- Wyoming – Gwen Geis, Gillette
- Mid-Atlantic Unit – Creed Ward, Volga, W.Va.
- Northeast Unit – Warren W. Nop, Middlebury, Vt.
- Southwest Unit – Kristin A. McQueary, Ruby Valley, Nev.; Cindy Tews, Hanford, Calif.; and Carlos Carrillo, Hanford, Calif.
- Importer Unit – Jason Frost, Washington, D.C.; Selwyn Jones, Wimberley, Texas; and Matthew Allan, Washington, D.C.
The board is authorized by the Beef Promotion and Research Act of 1985 and is composed of 99 members representing 34 states and five units. Members must be beef producers or importers of beef and beef products nominated by certified producer organizations.
More information about the board is available on the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) Cattlemen's Beef Board webpage.
Since 1966, Congress has authorized the development of industry-funded research and promotion boards to provide a framework for agricultural industries to pool their resources and combine efforts to develop new markets, strengthen existing markets and conduct important research and promotion activities. AMS provides oversight of 22 boards, paid for by industry assessments, which helps ensure fiscal accountability and program integrity.
AMS policy is that diversity of the boards, councils and committees it oversees should reflect the diversity of their industries in terms of the experience of members, methods of production and distribution, marketing strategies, and other distinguishing factors, including but not limited to individuals from historically underserved communities, that will bring different perspectives and ideas to the table. Throughout the full nomination process, the industry must conduct extensive outreach, paying particular attention to reaching underserved communities, and consider the diversity of the population served and the knowledge, skills, and abilities of the members to serve a diverse population.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender