American Angus Association CEO John Crouch announces retirement
Feb 25, 2008 4:29 PM
By Shauna Rose Hermel, editor, Angus Productions Inc.
Just as the future started to look bright, the Angus industry was turned upside down with Spader’s unexpected death in October of 2001. Crouch was immediately appointed the interim executive vice president and guided the Angus community through one of its most heart-wrenching periods. He was officially appointed to the position at the February 2002 Board Meeting.
Crouch has continued to support innovative performance programs. The introduction of dollar value indexes ($Values), calving ease EPDs, a temperament research evaluation, heifer pregnancy EPDs and research into feed efficiency and marker-assisted selection, demonstrate the priority still given to breed improvement.
As the Association’s executive, his untiring and unyielding dedication have for the last six years been commandeered to bolster other departments and entities of the Association as well.
Angus productions Inc. (API), under the leadership of Terry Cotton, has expanded its services as the Association’s publishing arm, including the addition of a Web Services Department and a Creative Media Department.
Angus Genetics Inc. (AGI) was launched in 2007 under the direction of Bill Bowman. While universities are reducing their commitment to conducting genetic evaluations, AGI now offers a data analysis service to the industry.
The Angus Foundation, under the leadership of Milford Jenkins, has flourished. A net worth now exceeding $5.4 million has allowed the nonprofit affiliate to expand its support of education, research and youth initiatives.
Certified Angus Beef LLC (CAB) has withstood the loss of export markets to Japan and other countries due to the “cow that stole Christmas”; has refined its original specifications to better meet customer needs and ensure supply of CAB product; and transitioned leadership to John Stika, who now serves as president, following the retirement of Jim Riemann.
“Since I have been with the program,” Stika says, “John has been nothing but proactive in finding ways to support the direction of CAB rather than dictate or direct it. I think that is reflected in the attitude of the team of people that makes up the Association, API, AGI, the Foundation and, obviously, CAB.
“It carries through to the industry, too,” Stika continues. “Producers can sense there’s a cohesiveness there that is targeted and is driving value for their cattle. John is creating that synergy and feeling of unity.”
Crouch says the role he played as executive vice president and CEO was to make sure good leaders were in every leadership position, to help them do their jobs, and to help them work together.
“John’s been an outstanding leader,” says Jarold Callahan of Express Angus Ranches, Yukon, Okla., and a director for the Association. “Under his tenure, Angus has experienced unprecedented growth due to his ability to work with people and get people to pull in the same direction.
“Even though he is very hands-on, he’s put good people in good places and allowed them to do their jobs extremely well,” Callahan continues. “He’s been easy to work with; he has outstanding vision; and we’re going to miss him and his leadership at the American Angus Association.”
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