Agricultural News
Oklahoman Brings Fresh Perspective as New President of Livestock Marketing Association
Tue, 03 Jul 2012 10:07:58 CDT
The Livestock Marketing Association (LMA) is pleased to announce Tim Starks as President for the 2012-2014 term. Unlike many past presidents, Starks did not grow up in the livestock auction marketing business. Starks grew up on a farm and ranch operation near Cherokee, Okla., where for 30 years he was a customer of the local auction markets.
After graduating from Oklahoma State University (OSU) with a degree in agricultural economics in 1989, he pursued a degree in veterinary medicine, which he received from OSU in 1992.
Following graduation, Starks return home and purchased a veterinary practice next to the local livestock market in Cherokee. He and his wife, Jennifer, began a family and raised two children of their own, Garrett and Macy. Over the years, they have been foster parents to numerous children, and recently adopted an eighteen-month-old boy.
Soon after beginning his veterinary practice, Starks was hired as a veterinarian at the auction market on sale days, while he continued to run his private clinic. Over time, Starks built a veterinary consulting business focusing on stocker and feedlot operations, and closed the clinic in 1997 to consult full time.
In 1998, he purchased the livestock auction market in Cherokee and added market management to his resume. He currently owns and operates Cherokee Sales Co., LLC with partner Randy Patterson, as well as continues to practice veterinary medicine in his consulting business.
After 14 years in the livestock auction business, Starks told the members present at his inauguration that he was going to "run on vision, not experience." His prior service to the association leading up to his presidency indicates that he has plenty of both.
With the many challenges facing animal agriculture from a public far-removed from farm life and the source of the food they consume every day, Starks said, "We've sold ourselves to ourselves; sold ourselves to our (auction) customers. What we need to do now is sell ourselves to the other 98.5 percent of the world that doesn't understand what we do."
With his animal health perspective, Starks will lead the association in its objective to be the "gold standard" in animal handling and care. He is currently a member of the Academy of Veterinary Consultants, the American Veterinary Medical Association and the Oklahoma Veterinary Medical Association.
Starks was installed at the 2012 LMA Annual Meeting held in Modesto, in June. He will lead the following board members in the coming year:
Vice President Dan Harris, Holton, Kan.; Chairman David Macedo, Tulare, Calif.; Jerry Etheredge, Linden, Ala.; E.H. Fowler, Sedalia, Mo.; Wayne Geistweidt, Fredericksburg, Texas; T. Phil Harvey, Jackson, Ga.; Dwayne Mays, Ogallala, Neb.; Clay Myers, Texhoma, Okla.; Sam Roberts, Columbus, Ohio; Charlie Rogers, Clovis, N.M.; Jim Santomaso, Sterling, Colo.; and Bobby Smith, Fairview, Okla.
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