Blake Nelson of Warner, Okla., has been hired to replace John Boddicker as Executive Vice President (EVP) of the American Maine-Anjou Association (AMAA) and will start Aug. 1. Blake was formally the director of farm operations/livestock coordinator at Connors State College in Oklahoma.
As the EVP of the American Maine-Anjou Association, Nelson’s leadership role will cover all facets of the Maine-Anjou industry. He will facilitate membership growth, development of breed research projects and programs to ensure further breed growth and commercial acceptance.
“We are extremely excited and honored to have Blake on board,” says Marty Van Vliet, AMAA president. “Blake brings a vast knowledge of the beef industry and he will be a great attribute to our breed and association. We look forward to working with him for many years to come.”
“I feel very fortunate to have this great opportunity to serve the Maine-Anjou breeders and the beef industry,” says Nelson. I look to forward to working with the adult and junior membership in strengthening and growing the popularity and significance of the Maine-Anjou breed. Since I was very young, beef cattle have been my passion and I feel extremely thankful and blessed to have this chance to work in our great industry.”
Nelson will replace John Boddicker, current EVP, who is retiring this fall after 25 years of dedicated service to the association. “It is truly an exciting time for the Maine-Anjou breed with the naming of your new executive vice president,” says Boddicker. “Blake Nelson brings with him industry and teaching experience that will open up new and fresh ideas to our continually changing landscape. I trust Blake’s tenure at the AMAA will be quite successful and he will treasure the many relationships he will gain with the entire Maine-Anjou family.”
Nelson grew up on an eastern Oklahoma cow/calf operation and exhibited Brangus and Chi cattle. He started his collegiate experience at Connors State College and finished at Oklahoma State University where he was a member of their championship livestock judging teams and worked with both school’s cattle operations.
After graduation, he worked for Farmland Industries as a livestock production specialist, and then in 2000 he had the opportunity to return to the Connors State program as an animal science instructor and livestock judging coach. In 2006, he moved to the director of farm operations/ livestock coordinator position which involves overseeing the all breed’s bull test station that feeds 200 head per year and hosts two sales as well as managing the Santa Gertrudis, Simmental, Angus and crossbred cowherd, beef show team and working with the nationally competitive livestock judging team.
Nelson has been privileged to judge many national, state and county shows each year, including San Antonio, Houston, the American Royal, the North American, the National Western and junior nationals for the Beefmaster, Hereford, Santa Gertrudis, Red Angus and Gelbvieh breeds.
Blake, along with his wife, Ruth and their two children, Paisley, 7 and Brigham, 3 look forward to their relocation and the many new friendships in the Maine-Anjou community they will make.
Shared from the American Maine Anjou Association