Town: Stillwater, Oklahoma
What is the best time and method to reach you with questions about your candidacy?
By cell phone any evening at 6:00PM, 405-612-6905
Background and Personal Info:
I grew up on a traditional family farm in Southeastern Oklahoma and started raising hogs as a 4-H project in 1979. Played Varsity High School Baseball and was a member of both the 4-H Clubs and the Future Farmers of America. Showed and Judged livestock in high school and successfully Judged Livestock at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College.
Graduated Oklahoma State University earning two degrees; Agricultural Economics & Accounting. Worked many years in private business as a Chief Financial Officer and Agriculture Consultant. I have Extensive Experience in the Daily Production, Operation, and Management of Business; Strong Principals of Financial Accounting, Auditing and Management; Overseeing Asset Inventories, Job Costing, Bank Reconciliations, Financial Statement Preparation, Government Tax Reporting and Compliance; Substantial Background in Economic, Statistical and Analytical Analysis; Strengths in Ability to Communicate Effectively, Time Management, Flexibility, Organize and Plan.
I have served many firms as a member of the Board of Directors, As Chairman of the Audit Committee; Been Responsible for Day to Day Production and Operations, Prepared and Distributed Monthly, Quarterly and Annual Financial Statements; Responsible for Job Costing, Workers Compensation Reporting and Audits, Corporate Tax Reporting, Performed Monthly Bank Reconciliations; Conducted and Assisted with Annual Financial Statement Audits; Responsible for Capital Formation, Business Development, U.S. Small Business Administration Government Reporting; Worked Closely other Minority Owned SBA 8(a) Firms and Customers; Including: Army Corp of Engineers, Northrop Grumman Marine Systems, Tetra-Tech, Union Pacific Railroad, and US Navy.
I have been a Financial Consultant, Registered Investment Advisor, and General Securities Principal for over twenty-five years in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. I reside in Stillwater, Oklahoma. I have three children and three grandchildren.
How many Berkshire litters did you record last year?
I farrow about 20-24 litters a year.
How many years have you been raising Berkshires?
18 years.
In what ways are you actively involved in the Berkshire breed (local, state, national level)?
I have served as the Payne County Pork Producers Treasurer and Secretary for the past 12-years. I’ve been a volunteer official at the Oklahoma Youth Expo during the Purebred Gilt Show for the past 11- years. I have also previously served as a volunteer for Team Purebred when my children served on the board ten plus years ago.
Give a brief narrative of what motivates you to be an ABA Board member and your goals for the board.
Throughout my 18 years of being involved in the Berkshire breed, I have valued my service to the breed and breeders. I have spent the large portion of those years serving the youth and the youth programs of the Berkshire Breed. As a supporter of those youth programs one, of my goals is to gain more involvement from youth and allow that involvement to become sustainable. The Berkshire breed is known for its history and quality and it will soon be the responsibility of the young breeds to keep the tradition and history of the breed alive.
As a member-driven organization, how do you envision increasing member opportunities, in addition to increasing member involvement in current ABA programs?
When I think of membership opportunities I think of the future Berkshire breeders. As an organization we need to come up with more and new innovative ways to involve our Youth and our Youth programs. Our youth are the future of the Berkshire breed and we need to allow our youth programs to grow and become more sustainable.
If someone new asked you why they should raise Berkshires, how would you respond?
Berkshires are a Heritage High-Quality Breed. They are the oldest purebred swine association and date back to Queen Victoria, as she herself owned them. Berkshires are very popular in the show ring at all levels of shows, and they are also sought after as a high-quality tasty-meat source in the restaurant and export markets. The heritage, history, and quality is what needs to continue to communicate about the Berkshire breed to producers and consumers.
What do you think is the biggest challenge the Berkshire breed faces and how do we navigate that challenge?
Sustainability! The Berkshire Breed must have more sources of income and broaden the base of membership. If in the future, income from the sales ring will decline due to other things that are out of our control like the most recent pandemic, we must be prepared.
What previous leadership experience do you have (church board, school board, pork producers, etc), and how will those experiences make you a good board member?
As I have previously stated, I have served as the Payne County Pork Producers Treasurer and Secretary for the past 12-years and I’ve been a volunteer official at the Oklahoma Youth Expo during the Purebred Gilt Show for the past 11-years. I also attend LifePoint Church in Perkins, Oklahoma. These current and past experiences and service has taught me to be a good listener and remain open to all and new ideas in order to help solve issues.
Why should ABA members vote for you?
I think my passion for youth would make me a good member for the American Berkshire Association Board of Directors. I think my family values and vision for the Berkshire breed will help carry the Berkshire history and heritage on for the future generations.