Out in the countryside
Greetings from Las Vegas
Greetings from Las Vegas, Nevada! To those that say this job is glamorous, I say “yes, but…”
Case in point, I am lucky enough to have my flight and hotel room paid for in Las Vegas, Nevada during the National Finals Rodeo. I get to interact with great people and enjoy all the exciting action that Las Vegas has to offer; however, a recap of this day will probably discourage anyone from ever trading jobs with me.
I was up at the crack up dawn preparing for the U.S. Cattlemen’s Association’s annual meeting. My first order of business was to get the latest scoop on the House passed H.R. 4154, the Permanent Estate Tax Relief for Families, Farmers, and Small Business Act, which passed the House by a vote of 224 – 199. According to a statement made by Representative Steve Rothman (D-NJ), “This legislation permanently extends the current exemption from the federal estate tax of $3.5 million per person as well as the maximum tax rate of 45 percent on estates. Without the bill, the estate tax would be eliminated entirely in 2010, and in 2011, the exemption would drop down to $1 million per individual while the estate tax rate would increase to 55 percent (from 45 percent this year).” This issue is of great importance to the membership of the U.S. Cattlemen’s Association so I made some calls and finalized my talking points to ensure that I had the full scope of details.
Next up in my preparation involved finishing the project of uploading USCA’s policies into a power point presentation. I looked at my watch and realized I better quickly wrap up my actual legislative update PowerPoint also. Plus the conclusion of my “laid back” Vegas day included a flight to Albuquerque, New Mexico for the New Mexico Cattle Growers Association annual convention. So quickly packing up my bags was the final stage of my morning preparation.
The morning business for the USCA meeting was enjoyable as it’s always great to see the pleasant faces of USCA supporters and friends. This outfit has a top notch crew of the salt of the earth ranchers who feed the nation and world. Each USCA committee chair provides specific updates on committee progress and tasks. My position as Executive Vice President means that I provide assistance and service to each of these committees, so I was called upon several times to provide additional information and clarification.
USCA’s year in review has been filled with a mix of successful and motivational stories along with the valuable legislative and regulatory achievements. I enjoyed informing the membership about the success that this young association has achieved in a short period of time.
The afternoon session consisted of some excellent speakers including the Montana Department of Livestock’s Executive Director Christian Mackay, USDA RMA staff John Lockie and Tara Beley, and Tait Berlier with Silveus Insurance. I caught parts of their speeches as I edited USCA’s draft Federal Register comments on the USDA’s plan to update Bovine Tuberculosis plans. I finalized and submitted the comments just in time to play a role in USCA’s policy-making session. My role during this session involved typing the suggested policies and amendments. As the session came to a close, I realized I had just enough time to bid folks adieu and race to catch my flight to Albuquerque, New Mexico.
When I arrived at the airport, I found out my flight was delayed. This turned out to be a good thing as there was yet one more round of Federal Register comments that still needed to be filed. Fortunately USCA Animal Health Committee Co-Chair Chuck Kiker had prepared an excellent draft set of comments on USDA’s proposed changes to its Bovine Brucellosis plan. I edited the comments and literally submitted the comments online 23 minutes before the deadline and 2 minutes before the doors of the plane were closed.
As I looked down over the lights of Las Vegas, I thought, “Yes this is a very exciting and action packed job. It’s an honor and a privilege to work for America’s family farmers and ranchers…. but a laid day at the beach, it is not!”
My new office in San Antonio…
If you are ever in San Antonio and need to get some work done, stop at the Quarry Starbucks. It has the perfect outdoor setting, and the staff are some of the best you will ever find! See you on the road!
Am I confused and somewhat crazy? Thank yous from the road.
The only way somewhere between boots and saddles, briefcases and taxis is a fun and enjoyable adventure is because of the efforts and kindness of people I find along way. Throughout my journeys, I am always meeting people, and when they ask me about where I have been, I feel like singing Hank Snow’s “I’ve Been Everywhere!” But since my singing is lacking at best, I refrain!
I get this feeling that when I come wandering into wherever I’m going on any given day and I meet a new person… the first impression I give is that I am a confused and somewhat crazy individual who doesn’t know if he is coming or going. Often times I will pull out my card and say “—follow the adventures at somewhere between boot and saddles, briefcases and taxis.”
I’m pretty sure these people think I am joking… so it’s with that in mind, I want to say “thank you” to some real good people I have met along the way and officially recognize them!
First, the Billings, Montana Dillard’s hair salon staff. I came in without an appointment and needed quick haircut. You all got me in fast and did good work! You asked me my mailing address and didn’t believe me when I gave you a DC address! We all had a good laugh, and I promised you I would say something about the episode. Well–here it is, and thank you!
Next, I will never be able to thank all of the great people at Texas A & M that made my first Aggie football game the most incredible experience! Oct. 9th found me with former A & M football players Robert Crouch, Randall Wiley, Tom Bevins and others at the retirement celebration for longtime A&M trainer and manager Billy Pickard. He was a part of the A&M program for over 50 years, dating back to the legendary days of coach Bear Bryant. I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Pickard, and it was an honor to shake his hand. I also met Andrea Dry and Lydia Dubuisson. Both are involved in the A&M football. Andrea is the Director of Communications for the 12th Man Kick Off Team Foundation-—which does some really cool things–check them out at: www.12thMKOT.com. Lydia is known as the first female to letter in A&M football as a manager.
Saturday October 10th was game day! A special thanks to Texas A&M Letterman’s Club Director Cathy Capps and the folks that made Robert Crouch and me honorary game captains! Our title gave us access to the field as we escorted former players that were known as the legendary Junction Boys. It was truly an honor and an experience I will never forget! Check out the pictures from the game on my October 11 post.
I also had the opportunity to hang out in the TAMU Ag Department box. Robert Crouch and Dr. Bowman played a special role in making that happen, and I thank them. The list of thank yous could continue for another page, but I just have to say it was amazing to experience what it’s like to be a part of the Aggie family! Many thanks to all the good folks that truly rolled out the maroon carpet to me in Aggieland!
Two more thank yous are in order. On Monday October 12th, I finished up a long day of work and meetings in Dallas. My colleague Robert Crouch had a discount for a massage at Massage Envy. You might imagine that after 1000s of miles on the road and in the air, my body is bent in more directions than a pretzel. I walked in there, and it was a similar situation to the Dillard’s hair cuttery story… the staff thought I was crazy after I told them about my travel schedule and what was going on. Nonetheless we had some good laughs, and Tracey DeLitta Tousley did some impressive work in trying to line out my back, neck, head, etc. The treatment helped stop my headaches and fired me up for the busy week ahead.
Last but not least… on Tuesday, October 13th, I had to get a rental car to drive from Dallas to San Antonio. Well the rain in Dallas created a shortage of cars, and I was almost stuck in bind. Fortunately Megan at Enterprise pulled some strings and lined me up with a car, and I was able to make my way to San Antonio!
To everyone that keeps making Somewhere Between Boots and Saddles, Briefcases and Taxis possible… thank you!
Driving to Falls City, Texas
Check out the video of me driving from San Antonio to Falls City, Texas.
King Ranch, Texas and a successful ICA meeting in Falls City
Today was an exciting day in Texas. My good friend and colleague, Diana Doan-Crider, arranged a lunch today with Ms. Helen Kleberg Groves of the King Ranch. We had very nice lunch; it was incredible to hear Ms. Groves tell stories about the history of the King Ranch, cattle ranching in Texas, and what she thought about today’s current events. I knew I had a front seat to a History Channel special when she described how Fidel Castro took over the King Ranch in Cuba and forced out the owners during the 1960s Cuba Missile Crisis. I can’t thank Ms. Doan-Crider and Ms. Groves enough for a lunch date that will be forever ingrained in my memory!
After lunch I pointed my Enterprise special: a Hyundai Accent (I could fit this car in my right boot and have room to spare!) to Falls City, Texas. Falls City is a little town 35 miles south of San Antonio. The southern chapter of the Independent Cattlemen’s Association of Texas (ICA) had a dinner meeting. It was a great event with over 60 people in attendance. Seeing the packed house and the smiles of ranchers who have finally gotten some rain really motivated me to speak about how great the U.S. cattle industry is and how important it is to be involved in ICA and USCA. Folks were very receptive, and I can’t thank everyone enough for their hospitality. I especially want to thank Mr. Windy Miller for arranging to have me speak at this event. 
Jess named one of the top 10 industry leaders
Jess was just named one of the Top 10 Industry Leaders under the age of 40 by Cattle Business Weekly. Find out why and read Jess’ full profile here.
Each of the top 10 live in, or have ties to, the Great Plains region. “It’s an impressive lineup of people who have taken on roles in the agricultural industry to help provide a future for the next generation of farmers and ranchers,” said Codi Vallery-Mills of the Cattle Business Weekly on October 12, 2009.
Congrats Jess!
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