Title: Web Marketing Director
Author: Amanda Klauenberg
Company: Angus Productions, Inc.

Cattlemen's Association Elects New Officers

DENVER (February 3, 2004) -- The National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) Board of Directors elected a new slate of officers for the coming year at the Cattle Industry Annual Convention and Trade Show last week in Phoenix.  Jan Lyons of Manhattan, Kan., is the new president.  She has served as president-elect for the past year and automatically moves into the office.

Ms. Lyons said her agenda for the coming year has been set - by the membership of NCBA.  "The policies and positions that were taken at convention will be my No. 1 priority," she said.  "The members who developed, discussed and voted on them did so with a focus on what impact they would have on producer profitability.  They are the ones who developed the marching orders and direction for the coming year."

As was expected, discussion about bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) was the top topic during the convention.  Acutely aware that the BSE incident will change the way cattlemen do business, Lyons and others see opportunities arising from the situation.

"The BSE incident in Washington state was a challenge that can be used as an opportunity as we go forward,"Lyons said.  "It demonstrates the need for a globalized vision in the beef industry, especially as we re-establish trade and make it a top priority."

The NCBA officers for 2004 are: President Jan Lyons, Kan.; President-Elect Jim McAdams, Texas; Vice President Mike John, Mo.; Federation Division Chairman Bob Rolston, Colo.; Federation Division Vice Chairman Myron Williams, S.D.; Policy Division Chairman Mike Byrne, Calif.; and Policy Division Vice Chairman Rob Hendry, Wyo.  Van Amundson of North Dakota was appointed treasurer for the coming year.

Serving on the NCBA Executive Committee in 2004 will be the officers named above plus Eric Davis, Idaho, as past NCBA president, and Ernie Reeves, Va.; John Queen, N.C.; Glenn Rowe, Iowa; Al Wright, Ark.; Ed Lord, Mont.; John Fallen, Nev.; Gene Harris, N.D.; Gary Voogt, Mich.; Roger West, Fla.; Alan Albright, Iowa; Mike Vache, Okla.; Louisa Munsee, Idaho; Mike Milroy, Ariz.; Jon Ferguson, Kan.; Betty McCullough, Veal representative; Don Hineman, Kan.; Paul Hitch, Texas; Mark Spurgin, Neb.; John Dudley, Texas; and Alan Hess, Kan.

Jan Lyons' love for cattle and caring for the land began on the family Angus farm in eastern Ohio. Today, she manages her family's Angus seedstock operation in the Flint Hills native grass region south of Manhattan, Kan.The family operation includes both daughters and sons-in law, seven grandchildren, and Jan's husband Frank.

Lyons has been a beef industry leader at the national, state and local levels. She chaired the Cattlemen's Beef Board in 1996 and chaired the Industry Consumer Marketing Group in 1997.  Lyons was president of the Kansas Angus Association in 1982 and president of the Kansas Livestock Association in 1994.

####

The National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) is the largest organization representing America's cattle industry.  Initiated in 1898, NCBA is the industry leader in education, influencing public policy to improve producer profitability and in preserving the industry's heritage and future.  Efforts are made possible through membership contributions. To join, contact NCBA at 1-866-BEEF-USA or membership@beef.org.