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LMA names new president
David Macedo--city councilman, 2006 World Livestock Auctioneer Champion and veteran California marketman--is Livestock Marketing Association's president for 2010-2012. Tim Starks, co-owner and manager of Cherokee Livestock Sales Co., Cherokee, Okla., for 12 years and a veterinarian, is the new vice president. He and Macedo began their two-year terms during LMA's recent annual convention held in Oklahoma City. Macedo succeeds Bobby Smith, Fairview, Okla., who becomes chairman of the LMA Board of Directors. Tulare Sales Yard, Inc., Tulare, Calif., where Macedo is president, has been in his family for 71 years. He has operated the market for 29 years, since acquiring half-ownership of it at the age of 19. A city councilman in Tulare, Macedo was mayor from 2003 to 2004. His industry activities include being the livestock market representative on the California Beef Council from 1998-2000, and formerly serving as treasurer of the California Livestock Auction Markets Association. At LMA, Macedo has served on the Government and Industry Affairs Committee and was first elected to the board in 2005. Starks received his DVM degree from Oklahoma State University in 1992 after receiving his Bachelor of Science degree from OSU in 1989. He is a member of the Oklahoma Cattlemen's Association, the Academy of Veterinary Consultants and the Oklahoma Veterinary Medical Association. Starks has also served on LMA's Board of Directors and on the Government and Industry Affairs Committee. Newly elected to the LMA board for two-year terms are Wayne Geistweidt, Fredericksburg, Texas, and Jim Santomaso, Sterling, Colo. Re-elected to the board were Jerry Etheredge, Linden, Ala.; T. Phil Harvey, Jackson, Ga.; and Randy Patterson, Anthony, Kan. Geistweidt is the owner and president of Gillespie Livestock Company, a family business he began running in 1972, prompting his recent comment that he has eaten, "slept and drank the livestock business for 38 years." He has a variety of industry and civic activities, including serving as president of the LMA of Texas from 2004 to 2005; a term as president of the Gillespie County Stock Show, and chairman of the show's sales committee since 1982; chairman of the board of Fredericksburg's Pioneer National Bank from 1982 to 2003; and past president of the Holy Ghost Lutheran Church Council in Fredericksburg. Santomaso is president and manager of Sterling Livestock, a family-run market for over 50 years. He has served LMA in many positions, including vice president, president from 2006 to 2008, and chairman of the board from 2008 to 2010. He is a long-time member and former president of the Colorado LMA and an auctioneer who has worked on fund-raisers for a variety of groups, including 4-H, the Red Cross, Ducks Unlimited and Pheasants Forever. He's also coached and been on the board of a community baseball organization. Macedo's address to the convention touched on key industry issues, including livestock handling and livestock identification. "There isn't an issue I feel more strongly about than animal handling and animal welfare," He said. He noted that LMA has a tough policy resolution on the subject: To become and remain an LMA member, a market must adopt and adhere to the handling practices in LMA's "Guide to Animal Handling and Employee Training." The market must also participate in an on-site assessment of its handling practices and take any corrective action that's indicated. Macedo noted that LMA also has "a strong commitment" to provide members with innovative training in animal handling, pointing to the new, online Animal Care Training Program. It's available on the Internet, in English and Spanish, and includes training videos on topics like low-stress handling methods, handling injured animals, safe and responsible euthanasia, and more. Developed by LMA and the Beef Cattle Institute at Kansas State University, the program allows "market owners, managers and employees to fine-tune their handling methods, be tested on them and get certified" in specific areas of livestock handling, he said. On livestock identification, he noted the U.S. Department of Agriculture had scrapped the National Animal Identification System to develop "a new flexible framework for animal disease traceability." Whatever it's called, Macedo said, "it's clear that USDA is moving toward some form of mandatory livestock tagging and ID program." LMA's role, he said, "will be to work with our members and our industry partners to ensure that any program is workable, cost-effective and reflects the needs and concerns of our markets and their consignors." Macedo concluded by urging his audience to "stay informed" on industry issues; "stay involved. not just with LMA" but with other industry organizations; and "stay in touch" with LMA's officers, directors and staff. LMA is North America's largest membership organization dedicated to supporting, representing and communicating with and for the entire livestock marketing sector.
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