Association Perspective
Rod Wesselman
Regional manager history.
Greetings from the Pacific Northwest!
As I start to write this article, the realization of working for the American Angus Association for 20 years is starting to set in. On Oct. 1, 2012, I completed 20 years as a regional manager for the membership of the AAA. It does not seem like it has been that long until you say it out loud or write it down. The time has gone so quickly. Here’s some history!
In 1992, when I started, I replaced Cliff Munson and covered Washington, Oregon, Idaho, California, Nevada, Utah and Hawaii. In the mid-1990s the territory was split. Rick Cozzitorto was hired, and I retained Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Utah and Hawaii.
More than five years ago, there was realignment, and Utah was given to Logan Ipsen when he was hired, along with California, Nevada and Arizona. Today, Kurt Kangas covers California, Nevada, Utah and Arizona; and I cover Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Hawaii.
So many things have changed and improved in 20 years that it is hard to mention everything. I hope I have been able to make a contribution to the American Angus Association, Angus breeders and commercial producers here in the west and across the nation. I hope I can continue to help registered producers along with commercial producers to be successful in the future. I would like to thank the Angus breeders and the commercial producers here in the Northwest and the entire nation for your contributions to the Angus and the beef industry.
Thank you to the commercial breeders for purchasing Angus genetics that have improved the product we sell today. You should be proud of the successes that you have made and please continue to keep the Angus breed in the forefront. The Angus breed continues to be a leader in the beef industry, registering 315,007 head (6.79% increase) and selling 811,000,000 pounds of Certified Angus Beef® (CAB®) in this last fiscal year. This is something to be proud of!
I wish the best of luck to all of you in the upcoming year, and if I or one of the other regional managers around the country can help you, please feel free to contact us.
Editor's Note: Regional Manager Rod Wesselman covers Region 11, including the states of Hawaii, Idaho, Oregon and Washington. Click here to find the regional manager for your state.
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