More than 350 delegates who were elected to represent American Angus Association members from more than 40 states conducted the business of the Association during the annual meeting and election. The meeting was at the Kentucky Fair and Exposition Center in conjunction with the North American International Livestock Exposition (NAILE) Super Point Roll of Victory (ROV) Angus Show.

Paul Hill, Bidwell, Ohio, was chosen by the delegates to serve as vice president of the Association, and five individuals were elected to the Association's board of directors. Jay King, Rock Falls, Ill., will serve as treasurer for the year.

Jot Hartley and his wife Renee, own and operate Spur Ranch at Vinita, Okla., along with their sons. The operation started by Jot's grandfather has been in the family since the 1930s, and his dad introduced Angus to the herd in the 1950s. Spur Ranch, a diversified cattle operation consisting of both purebred and commercial Angus cows and stocker cattle, hosts a production sale each fall.

Jot is a former director and past president of the Oklahoma Angus Association and a member of the Oklahoma Cattlemen's Association. He is also a former director and president of Oklahoma Beef Incorporated, a highly successful, producer owned bull test station.

Jot holds a degree in finance from Oklahoma State University and a law degree from the University of Oklahoma. He is a licensed attorney, admitted to practice in several state and federal courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court.

As Association president, Jot will serve as chairman of the executive committee and work closely with all directors to lead the board during the next year.

Paul Hill, Bidwell, Ohio, was elected to serve as vice president. Paul grew up on a livestock and peanut farm in Florida, and today is a partner in Champion Hill, Bidwell, Ohio. Hill serves on the advisory board to the National Junior Angus Association (NJAA), and has worked to raise funds and awareness for numerous programs that benefit Angus youth.

While serving as vice president, Paul will serve as chairman of Angus Productions Inc. (API), and the Angus Foundation boards of directors. He will also serve on the executive committee.

The American Angus Association is the world's largest beef breed organization and provides programs and services for thousands of commercial producers and more than 34,000 regular and junior members nationwide. Founded in 1883, the American Angus Association is a not-for-profit company with headquarters in Saint Joseph, Mo.

Al DeClerk

Al DeClerk, Pocahontas, Ark., was re-elected to his second term on the Board. He has been involved in production agriculture his entire life, and he and his family operate Engelberg Angus Farm, which includes 150 registered cows. Al has held leadership positions in many organizations, which include president of the Arkansas Angus Association from 1998-2000. Al will serve on the Activities & Events, Breed Improvement and Industry Relations committees. He is also on the Angus Foundation Board.

Joe Hampton

Joe Hampton, Mount Ulla, N.C., is beginning his second term on the Board. He and his wife, Robin, operate Back Creek, a seedstock operation that focuses on producing bulls for commercial producers in the Southeast. Joe has been in the registered Angus business since 1981, and has been involved in numerous leadership roles. He will serve as vice chairman of the Industry Relations committee and is on the Information & Data Management and Breed Improvement committees. He is also on the Certified Angus Beef (CAB) LLC and Angus Foundation Boards.

Steve Olson

Steve Olson was elected to his first term on the Board. He developed a passion for agriculture at an early age, and returned to Hereford, Texas, after college where he and his family began their diversified agricultural operation. His herd consists of 200 Angus cows. Steve has been involved in a variety of leadership positions, including serving on the Texas Angus Association Board. He and his wife, Ginger, also served as Texas Junior Angus Association advisors. He will be on the Activities & Events and Industry Relations committees.

Rob Thomas

Rob Thomas owns and operates Thomas Angus Ranch with his family near Baker City, Ore. He was re-elected to his second term. Rob has presented talks about marketing and customer service at various national events. He is past chairman of the Oregon Cattleman's Association Beef Improvement Committee and current advisory board member for the Eastern Oregon Agricultural Research Center. This year, he will serve as vice chairman of the Information & Data Management committee and is on the Industry Relations and Breed Improvement committees. He will also serve on the CAB, API and Angus Foundation Boards.

Cathy Watkins