U.S. CattleTrace Announces Leadership for 2023
U.S. CattleTrace, the industry-driven program for animal disease traceability, has announced the appointment of leadership for their producer Board of Directors for 2023. Wes Killion of Beef Northwest was appointed to serve as Chairman of the Board, with Ken Griner of Usher Land & Timber transitioning to serve as Past-Chairman. Mark Gardiner of Gardiner Angus Ranch will serve as the Chairman-Elect along with Joe Leathers of 6666 Ranch being appointed to Vice-Chair.
Wes Killion is currently COO of Beef Northwest, a progressive, relationship-driven cattle feeding company in the Pacific Northwest. Killion also serves on the Washington Cattle Feeders Association Board of Directors as an active member.
“U.S. CattleTrace has seen tremendous growth over the course of the last three years thanks to the fantastic leadership that Ken has provided,” said Killion. “I’m excited to continue to build upon this progress and serve the organization as chairman for 2023.”
A Florida native, Ken Griner is currently President of Usher Land & Timber, a family-owned logging, farming, and cattle company in Chiefland. Griner served as Florida Cattlemen’s Association President in 2017 and is active in Florida Farm Bureau.
“It has been a true honor to have served as Chairman of the U.S. CattleTrace Board of Directors,” said Griner. “U.S. CattleTrace has made great strides over the past three years. I am proud of the progress we have made, and I look forward to watching Wes guide our organization toward a bright future.”
“This is an exciting time for U.S. CattleTrace. Ken’s steady, passionate leadership has helped continue to grow the organization,” said Callahan Grund, Executive Director of U.S. CattleTrace. “I am excited to work with Wes this year and look forward to his thoughtful perspective and strategic vision.”
About U.S. CattleTrace:
In August 2018, CattleTrace Inc. was formally established as a private, not-for-profit corporation to securely maintain and manage the data collected as part of the disease traceability pilot project. A board of directors with representatives from cow-calf, livestock market and cattle feeding sectors was named to lead CattleTrace Inc. In January 2020, the board voted to change the name to U.S. CattleTrace Inc. to formally establish the multi-state initiative to advance disease traceability. To learn more about U.S. CattleTrace or receive information on how to participate, visit www.uscattletrace.org.
