We were excited that Jack Ward, newly appointed Executive Vice President of the American Hereford Association, was able to answer a few questions for us. Congratulations to Jack and the Hereford breed.
What are you most looking forward to in your new role as Executive Vice President for the American Hereford Association?
First, I am really honored to have been selected into this new role. Craig had assembled a great staff and it will be a pleasure to continue to work with them to supply our members the tools it will take for them to make genetic progress and then market their cattle to their fullest.
What will your day-to-day activities look like in your new role?
Under the American Hereford Association umbrella lie 4 major entities. Those are Records, Hereford Publications Inc, (HPI), Certified Hereford Beef (CHB) and Junior. Within each of these departments, the AHA has a great staff and it will be my job to support them with a budget and to keep them on task for their specific roles.
Do you have any goals as you move forward with the American Hereford Association?
The goals of the AHA have been set over the years through strategic planning and most recently, last fall, with a Genetic Summit. As a staff, these keep us focused on what we need to do in order to keep the Hereford breed positioned as a leader within the seedstock industry. Ultimately, the Hereford breed will play a vital role as we are challenged with a growing population that will put a strain on beef demand while also answering the challenge in sustainability.
What do you enjoy most about being involved with the Hereford Breed?
For me personally, it is the members and their diversity. At AHA, we just provide the tools that each breeder needs to make progress and then we stand back a little and watch the success. Obviously, as a staff, we must keep our eyes and ears open to what the industry is calling for and what they expect from Hereford genetics. Hereford is unique as they are a breed that can adapt to multiple environments and various crossbreeding schemes. With that said, this diversity calls for different tools and this challenges all of us at AHA to provide the tools needed by the membership.
How do you plan to continue your involvement with breeders across the country?
At any job, it is balance. So, I will continue to balance my obligations to staff, industry, membership and family. I have spent my entire life in the seedstock business in some form and I enjoy visiting with everyone associated with the seedstock business including AHA members (adult and junior), scientists, commercial producers and anyone that wants to share a story, knowledge or experience. So, I plan to attend as many functions related to the Hereford business as possible.