Robert (“Bob”) Hummel began his career in 1961 as a Technical Service Veterinarian with American Cyanamid Company. In 1967, Bob co-founded Great Plains Chemical Company, Inc. in Greeley, CO, later changing the name to Lextron, Inc., which become one of the larger Animal Health distributors in the U.S. supplying animal health products and technology to the cattle feeding industry. In June of 2011, after a merger with Walco International, the name was changed to Animal Health International, Inc. In June of 2015, Animal Health International was sold to Patterson Companies but continues to operate under the Animal Health International name. At the time of the sale of Animal Health, Bob retired at the young age of 78.

Dr. John K. Matsushima was born to immigrant parents from Japan who began farming in Colorado. After receiving his Ph.D. in Animal Science, John began his long career of teaching and research in beef nutrition. He was awarded the “Tenno Hosho,” “Emperor’s Citation,” given by the Emperor of Japan.

Dr. Gary Smith is a nationally and internationally recognized expert in meat science and food safety. Throughout his career, Dr. Smith conducted applied research and solved problems related to meat science and food safety on behalf of state and federal associations across the country.