WBC executive director celebrates 25 years
Wyoming Beef Council (WBC) Executive Director Ann Herne was recently honored for celebrating 25 years of service to the Wyoming beef industry.
Gov. Mark Gordon recognized Herne’s years of dedication during a ceremony celebrating state employees for 25, 30 and 35 years of service, held at the Wyoming State Capitol on April 9.
About Herne
Herne grew up on her family’s ranch north of Cheyenne. After graduating from high school, she earned a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science from the University of Wyoming.
Prior to her career with WBC, Herne worked with Unicover in Cheyenne and owned and operated a local Baskin Robbins storefront.
She began her tenure at WBC in 2001 as the marketing and program manager and assumed the role of executive director in 2002, following the retirement of former Executive Director Pat Swan.
Herne recalls beginning her career with WBC felt like “coming home” since her heart has always been in the beef industry.
“My whole life, I knew I wanted to work in the beef or agriculture industry,” Herne says. “Coming to the council after having worked outside of the industry was like coming home.”
Promoting beef
In her role with WBC, Herne works to promote the Wyoming beef industry and increase beef demand through promotion, education and research funded by the state’s one-dollar-per-head Beef Checkoff.
Herne says changes in the beef industry that she has navigated throughout the past 25 years have been eye opening, particularly with regard to marketing and advertising.
As technology advances and advertising turns primarily digital and consumer facing, Herne says assuring producers of the many ways the checkoff and WBC works for them continues to be a priority.
“I want producers to know WBC is always working on their behalf,” Herne states.
Herne is well respected among her peers as a state beef council executive and has a great relationship with colleagues in the beef industry throughout the country.
“It’s been a tremendous gift to be able to spend the last 25 years of my career within this industry with people I respect and admire so much,” Herne says. “It’s been a really great trip, and I’ve enjoyed it tremendously.”
“I hope to continue to serve the industry for several more years,” she adds, emphasizing she’s always willing and available to discuss the checkoff with producers.
About WBC
WBC was established in 1971 to serve as the promotion, research and education arm of the Wyoming beef industry.
Their mission is to benefit Wyoming’s beef community and economy by increasing domestic and international beef demand.
WBC is comprised of five voting members appointed by the governor who represent all segments of beef production within Wyoming including range cattle, dairy cattle and feedlots.
Members’ responsibilities include setting priorities for WBC, determining funding allowances and evaluating programs funded by the one-dollar-per-head Beef Checkoff collected on all Wyoming cattle when they are sold.
Grace Skavdahl is the editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.
