FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
April 11, 2016
CONTACT: Laramie Adams
CELL: 512-922-7328
New Leaders Elected
Fort Worth, Texas – The Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA) announced Richard Thorpe, Winters, as their new president today during the closing session of the 139th annual Cattle Raisers Convention.
Thorpe was elected a TSCRA director in March 2006. He most recently served as the first vice president alongside Pete Bonds, Saginaw, who served as president from September 2013 – April 2016.
“TSCRA has been critical to the strength and stability of the cattle industry for well over a century,” said Thorpe. “It is truly an honor to serve and lead this organization in my new role as president. Also, I appreciate Pete for his leadership and commitment to TSCRA. Most importantly, I thank my family for always supporting me. I look forward to all that’s ahead for this incredible association.”
Thorpe, his wife Karen and their family own and operate Mesa T Ranch headquartered in Winters. The Thorpe’s operate a cow/calf operation as well as stockers and quarter horses. Thorpe also earned his medical degree from Texas Tech University.
Bobby McKnight, Fort Davis, will serve as first vice president. Hughes Abell, Austin, was elected as a new officer in the role of second vice president.
New directors include: Donnell Brown, Throckmorton; Seth Denbow, Weatherford; Heath Hemphill, Coleman; Ty Keeling, Boerne; Leslie Kinsel, Cotulla; Carl Ray Polk Jr.; and Gary Price, Blooming Grove. Leslie Kinsel, Cotulla; Brian McLaughlin, Midland; and Clay Jones, Brady were elected as executive committee members.
The Cattle Raisers Convention ended today with over 4,500 cattlemen and women across Texas, Oklahoma and the southwest in attendance.
For a photo of Pete Bonds passing the president’s gavel to Richard Thorpe, visit https://tscra.org/images/PETE_RICHARD_GAVEL_web.jpg. For a photo of the TSCRA officer team, visit https://tscra.org/images/TSCRA_Officers_web.jpg.
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TSCRA is a 139-year-old trade association and is the largest and oldest livestock organization based in Texas. TSCRA has more than 17,000 beef cattle operations, ranching families and businesses as members. These members represent approximately 50,000 individuals directly involved in ranching and beef production who manage 4 million head of cattle on 76 million acres of range and pasture land primarily in Texas and Oklahoma, but throughout the Southwest.