NAA elects new leadership, presents award
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The National Auctioneers Association (NAA), the largest professional organization for auctioneers, has elected a new slate of officers and board of directors to lead the organization for the coming year.

The 2008-09 election results included, in the Farm World area: Director J.J. Dower, CAI, AARE, LaFollette, Tenn., and Director Dennis R. Jackson, CAI, AARE, CES, Indianapolis, Ind. The newly elected directors join a group of eight existing directors on the board.

Also, Kurt Aumann, CAI, ATS of Nokmis, Ill., will take over as the vice-chairman of the Education Institute. 

Alex Belcher of Buncomb, Ill., was awarded the prestigious title of International Ringman Champion at this conference. Twenty-two competitors participated in this year’s “ringman” competition. This is the second year for it.

A 1999 graduate of Missouri Auction School, Belcher has been a full-time professional auctioneer for the past nine years. He considers himself a “cars, cattle and real estate auctioneer” but his auction services also include estates and farm machinery and equipment.

As the 2008 International Ringman Champion, he will receive a championship ring, $5,000 cash prize, trophy and recognition as the world’s best “ringman.” The finalists in this year’s competition also included Phillip Richardson of Maynardville, Tenn.

KSPB reelects officer team for fiscal year 2009

PRINCETON, Ky. — The Kentucky Soybean Promotion Board (KSPB) reelected officers for the 2008-09 year at the July summer board meeting held at Lake Barkley State Park. The officer team will build on experience from last year’s programs as they focus on issues such as food and fuel, animal agriculture and aquaculture.

Jack Trumbo of Shelby County will serve as chairman for his second consecutive year. Not only does Trumbo serve his area on the checkoff board but he is also a Kentucky director on the American Soybean Assoc. board. He is active in his county Farm Bureau and local Soybean Advisory Committee. Trumbo served a maximum term of nine years on the Kentucky Soybean Assoc.

Dennis Clark represents Graves County by taking the vice chairman office for the second year. He serves as the state representative to the National Biodiesel Board and he too has been recognized for nine years maximum service on the KSPB.

George Martin, secretary/treasurer, represents Hopkins County. He represents Kentucky on the United Soybean Board. He is also involved with KARDA, Hopkins County Farm Bureau and serves on the Kentucky Ag Heritage Board.

The KSPB is made up of appointed producers from across the state who oversee the investment of the state checkoff. For more information, visit www.kysoy.org

C.J. Brown honored for contributions to NJAA

LINDENWOOD, Ill. — By capturing the serenity and beauty of the Angus breed, C.J. Brown of Lindenwood uses her artistic talents to support the Angus industry.

For her creative contributions and dedication to the Angus breed and National Junior Angus Assoc. (NJAA), Brown was inducted into the Honorary Angus Foundation.

Each year extraordinary supporters of the NJAA are selected to join the Honorary Angus Foundation. Inductees are chosen for their exceptional interest and dedication to junior members and the NJAA. Growing up on a farm in northern Illinois, Brown appreciates the rural lifestyle and having been around cattle, her interests turned to painting the animals about which she is so passionate.
Brown is known for her willingness to provide originals and prints for fundraising efforts for the Angus breed. Her recent involvement includes the commissioned piece titled “Angus Blessing” that was created to raise funds for the 2008 NJAA show. The original watercolor was auctioned off for $7,500.

Her pieces are exhibited in the American Angus Hall of Fame, the Canadian Angus Assoc., Excel-Beef Division and other corporate businesses that have ties to the beef industry.