ASI Elects New OfficersGlen

Fisher (Texas), Margaret Soulen Hinson (Idaho) and Clint Krebs (Ore.) were elected to serve as the 2009 officer team of the American Sheep Industry Association by the board of directors during the ASI/National Lamb Feeders Association Convention in San Diego, Calif., on Jan. 24, 2009.

Elected president, Fisher is the major partner and manager of Askew-Fisher Ranch, located on 18,000 acres of land in Sutton County, Texas. He runs approximately 1,800 head of sheep and 400 cows, as well as offers a hunting enterprise on his ranch.

Commenting on his election to the office, Fisher says, "I am proud to represent the sheep industry in this capacity. It became evident during the convention that the industry has an abundance of new legislative and regulatory policy to implement plus the federal administration and the U.S. Congress have many new members to meet. This will be another busy year for ASI."

Soulen Hinson takes the office of vice president. Soulen Livestock runs approximately 10,000 head of ewes and 1,000 cows and have been in business since the early 1920s. The business operates in eight Idaho counties and is comprised of approximately 50,000 acres that is used in conjunction with various state, Bureau of Land Management, Forest Service and private land leases.

As an officer in ASI, I will continue to work cooperatively with a wide variety of agencies to develop programs that will help to stabilize and grow the sheep industry. Wildlife conflict and management have become very important issues in our industry. Whether it be the conflict between domestic and bighorn sheep or the management of predators, I see these as areas of priority to continue the strong work of ASI," commented Soulen Hinson.

Fourth generation sheep producer, Krebs, will serve as secretary/treasurer. He currently runs a band of range ewes as well as operates a lamb feedlot.

With the changes in Washington, we must keep our voices in front of the people who make decisions," said Krebs. "These are exciting times, and I am honored to have been chosen to be a part of the leadership team of ASI."

Elections were also held to select representatives from six of the eight regions to serve two-year terms on the executive board. Those elected include Tom Colyer (Mass.), Region I; Will Getz, Ph.D. (Ga.), Region II; Bob Benson (Ind.), Region III; Burton Pfliger (N.D.) Region IV; Gary McGehee (Texas), Region V; and Art Swannack (Ore.), Region VIII.