Totally focused on the advancement of the cattle industry, Dee Likes, previously a market analyst for CattleFax, spent 38 years at the Kansas Livestock Association….30 as the CEO. Under his leadership KLA became the largest NCBA state affiliate and a major force in national policy and the maturing of the industry. In retirement, Likes continues to be a force in mentoring today’s leaders. Principled leadership and a strong national association have been his passion.

Dr. Delbert “Del” Miles is a feedlot veterinarian based out of Greeley Colorado. Del was an early leader in the Beef Quality Assurance program with a practice motto of “management over medicine”. He is the recipient of many awards including AVC 1987 Consultant of the Year, AABP Bovine Practitioner of the year in 1997 and was recently inducted in to the “CPVHOF” Cattle Production Veterinarian Hall of Fame.  Many of the most recognized feedlot veterinarians call him a mentor due to his use of data-driven decisions. When asked what Del has enjoyed most throughout his years he will tell you the following:

“I have had the luxury of working with people that are involved in the cattle feeding industry for over 50 years.  It is an industry that involves people with tremendous integrity and unequaled work ethic. I am very honored to be considered for this award by my industry peers.”

Dr. Grandin is a designer of livestock handling facilities and a Professor of Animal Science at Colorado State University. Facilities she has designed are located in the United States, Canada, Europe, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, and other countries. In North America, almost half of the cattle are handled in a center track restrainer system that she designed for meat plants. Curved chute and race systems she has designed for cattle are used worldwide and her writings on the flight zone and other principles of grazing animal behavior have helped many people to reduce stress on their animals during handling.