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The team of 13 highly qualified and
knowledgeable regional managers (RMs) that represent the
American Angus Association® across the country is perhaps the
best resource offered to cattle producers-members of the
Association, commercial breeders who use Angus genetics in their
herds and those interested in getting into the Angus business.
RMs serve a vital role in maintaining the integrity of the Angus
breed, while also providing services and information to
Association members and commercial producers and generating
sales for the services provided by Angus Productions Inc. (API)
and serving those members who purchase those services.
RMs are located in various regions
across the United States and are often visible at many beef
industry events like state cattle conventions, Angus field days,
shows and sales. Regional managers have increased their
efficiencies by visiting with breeders at these events where
they can be accessible to numerous members in one day at one
location. Technology has also made regional managers more
readily accessible, and many now can respond to breeder
inquiries via e-mail or phone in a timely manner. Gone are early
days of herd visits that were necessitated when classifying
cattle was the RMs’ primary responsibility.
“It is important to remember
that we are accessible to all members in all areas, and not just
limited to those breeders in our region,” says Jerry Cassady,
who represents breeders in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and
Wisconsin. “If a breeder anywhere has questions about a breeding
program in one of my states, they should feel free to contact me
and I’ll give them the best information that I can.”
Providing an outlet for
continued education is beneficial for both the members and the
regional managers. The RMs note that if they can spend some time
visiting with new members at a sale or field day and arming them
with the information they need from the beginning of their Angus
career, they will have a greater chance for success in the Angus
business in the future.
“I would encourage all new
breeders to get to know their regional manager and use him as a
resource much like they would use their county agent, vet, semen
distributor, or feed salesman,” recommends David Gazda, who
covers the states of Georgia, Florida, North and South Carolina.
“I would also encourage new breeders to become familiar with the
programs and services available through the Association and API
and how to utilize them in their programs.”
Although RMs work primarily with
Association members and their commercial bull customers, the RMs
are knowledgeable about all Association programs and entities
and work closely with API and the Certified Angus Beef (CAB)
program. Regional managers spend a large share of their time
promoting API services to the members, selling advertising via
print media in the Angus Journal and Angus Beef Bulletin,
electronic media through Web services, and API also produces
many breeder sale books. In return for selling advertising and
services, the RM provides ring services at breeder sales when
not previously scheduled.
“We have a dual role when it
comes to working with API,” Cassady notes. “We work with
breeders to establish marketing programs, but then we also have
a responsibility to service those customers who do business with
API.”
A complete list of
regional managers and their contact information can be found
online at
www.angus.org or by calling the American Angus Association
at 816-383-5100.
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