From the very first meeting on May 18, 1967, at the Holiday Inn West in Amarillo—where 10 men gathered around a table to discuss forming a cattle feeders association—the Texas Cattle Feeders Association has been guided by visionary leaders willing to show up, share ideas, discuss issues and provide solutions.

To help prepare future leaders, TCFA established its Leadership Program in 1990. Since its inception, 76 individuals from the fed cattle industry in Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico have participated. Many have gone on to serve the association, including as chairman of the board of directors.

Individuals between the ages of 25 and 40 are identified and nominated by their peers for the program. Each year, the TCFA executive committee selects two to three participants from the pool of nominees.

Those selected spend a year studying the workings of the cattle feeding industry and other organizations. Participants attend the TCFA Board and Leadership Orientation, join the Young Cattlemen’s Conference, attend one Texas Agricultural Lifetime Leadership session and go to the TCFA Annual Convention.

Together, these experiences give participants a firsthand look at the inner workings of the cattle industry while connecting them with other leaders.

​“I met a lot of new people, learned about different facets of the industry and learned about policy,” said 2025 leadership participant Matt Quinn with Melissa Feeders and TELUS Agriculture, where he works as a nutritionist. “I have learned how TCFA leadership drives a lot of policies and bridges the gap between industry and the government.”

Meeting industry leaders from across the country provides lasting benefits, both professionally and
within TCFA. The program encourages candid discussions about challenges facing the industry and differing perspectives on policy.

“The networking was important to help set policy and be involved in that process within the industry,” said 2011 leadership participant Levi Berry, Past TCFA Chairman in 2019 and Operations Manager of Smith Cattle Co. “The other thing is knowing those guys and visiting with them to see what the challenges they are facing are and why they have the stance they have, trying to understand the position they have rather than just being opposed to it.”

Participants are also exposed to TCFA’s advocacy efforts, including meetings with senators and
representatives to support or oppose policies affecting cattle feeding.

“It was really, really eye opening for me when I was in Washington D.C. talking to representatives, everyone expected TCFA to take the lead,” Quinn said.

The program also provides perspective on why leadership development is essential to the association’s future.

“An organization is only as good as its members and the leadership of that organization is only as good as the leaders you develop from within,” Quinn said. “I think it’s imperative TCFA continues to support and develop leaders within the cattle feeding industry so we can then go out and be leaders across multiple facets of the beef cattle industry. TCFA has done a phenomenal job of that over the years and earned the reputation as leaders within the industry.”

Leadership development extends beyond TCFA, influencing participants’ roles in their communities and careers.

“I was encouraged to step forward and take on more leadership roles outside of just TCFA,” Quinn said.” It allowed me to develop and understand what it takes to be a leader in the industry and what it takes to be a leader in our organization or organizations outside of the cattle feeding industry.”

As participants advance, the program instills confidence and a sense of responsibility to give back to the association.

“It is flattering to be nominated by your peers to be an officer in the organization,” Berry said. “I guess I kind of had the mindset that I was one of the young guys looking up to the more seasoned members of the organization and somewhere along the way you figure out that you’re not a young guy anymore and it is your opportunity to give back to the organization that has afforded you so many opportunities.”

That responsibility often extends to supporting the broader cattle feeding industry.

“It changed my perspective on how I view leadership and what it takes to be a strong leader,” Quinn said. “It gives you more of a sense of responsibility to things that you don’t directly have control over, you can still demonstrate leadership outside of being the one that is directly leading that group.”

The impact of the program also reaches future generations of industry professionals.

“Over time, it has become important for me to meet the young people who are coming up in the industry and organization to try to connect with them and meet them just like I was trying to do twenty-five years ago,” Berry said. “I wanted to become part of the industry and get to know some of the leadership. Now it is a personal sense of obligation to stay involved and meet those younger guys to help any way I can to put them on a path to be successful.”

In addition to leadership development, the program prepares participants to serve as advocates for the cattle feeding industry.

“The other component is the importance of that leadership when it comes to being a voice for the
industry,” Quinn said. “Whether that is sitting on a plane next to somebody who doesn’t have any
knowledge of beef cattle production or food production or it is talking to the media or someone on
social media or a policy maker, it changed my perspective to be more willing to engage and have
responsibility for promoting the industry across the board.”

Over the past 36 years, TCFA members and staff have identified and developed young leaders who have played an integral role in shaping policy and ensuring the long-term vitality of cattle feeding in Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico. As TCFA continues to invest in leadership development, the association remains well-positioned for the future.

For many years, TCFA has focused on developing the next generation of feedyard employees, cattle feeders and industry leaders through educational programs for students ranging from third to twelfth grade. Yet there was a missing piece, something to keep youngprofessionals connected to  the fed cattle industry and to TCFA throughout their collegiate careers. Launched in January 2025, the TCFA Collegiate B.I.N. Program now fills that gap.

“We began to notice a disconnect between students who engaged in youth programs and then went to college and began their careers,” said Ginna McCarty, TCFA Outreach and Engagement Coordinator. “We would lose them while they were in college, and then several years later, they would be nominated to serve on a TCFA committee. The B.I.N. Program aims to close that gap and provide students with a behind-the-scenes look at the industry before they begin their careers.”

B.I.N. stands for Build, Integrate and Network–Build future industry leaders, Integrate them into the industry, and provide Networking opportunities with seasoned professionals.

These three pillars emerged from conversations with college students and industry professionals. Students expressed a desire to network, serve on committees and be integrated into the industry before graduating.

“The most appealing piece of the B.I.N Program is the opportunity to network among the current industry leaders to create connections and gain as much knowledge as possible,” said Weston Peters, current B.I.N. participant. “Along with this, I’m excited about the opportunity to be a part of a committee and be able to experience what the members do to improve and grow cattle feeding.”

Industry professionals, meanwhile, wanted a program that could help build future feedyard managers and leaders for TCFA.

With these priorities in mind, TCFA staff developed an exclusive two-year program for highly qualified college students interested in building careers in the cattle feeding industry. Applicants must submit a completed application, two letters of recommendation, one from a cattle industry professional, and a resume.

A selection committee made up of members of the Industry Relations Committee reviews and scores applications and identifies top candidates for virtual interviews.

“Our discussions with the college student working group showed us the importance of developing a competitive and prestigious program that provides hands-on opportunities with TCFA members and staff,” McCarty noted.

Students in the B.I.N. Program come from unique backgrounds and have varying levels of knowledge about the fed cattle industry. However, each is passionate about carrying on the tradition of cattle feeding and eager to learn from and network with industry experts.

“The students’ desire to make meaningful industry connections and take advantage of networking opportunities is inspiring. With the first cohort set to begin roles in the cattle feeding industry in the next couple of years, the future of the industry is bright,” McCarty said.

Throughout the two-year program, students are fully immersed in the industry through a weeklong onboarding experience, service on a TCFA committee, mentorship from an industry leader, industry tours, feedyard visits with TCFA staff and the opportunity to participate in TCFA events.

But what makes the B.I.N. Program truly unique is that students are encouraged to shape their experience based on their career interests or by exploring new areas of the industry.

“While the students are given a list of required activities, they also have the opportunity to make the program their own,” McCarty said. “The first three students have each shaped the program
to fit their interests. Some have spent the day with their mentor learning about their role at the
feedyard; others have helped with TCFA youth programs. Wherever their passion lies, we want them to dive in and learn as much as they can.”

Ask someone to describe a feedyard, and they will likely mention cattle first. Ask TCFA Chairman Laphe LaRoe, and he will tell you it is really about the people who care for them. The cattle feeding industry is built on individuals who demonstrate an unmatched work ethic and a shared commitment to providing high-quality care for cattle, producing a safe, nutritious beef product for consumers around the world.

​“There is lots of quality work that gets accomplished at a feedyard before the sun ever even comes up and before the rest of the world is going to work. That work ethic has always been a part of why I enjoy the industry,” LaRoe said.

LaRoe is no stranger to hard work. He has built his career through dedication and a deep love for
the cattle feeding industry–an appreciation that began early in life.

One of the people who helped foster LaRoe’s passion for the industry was his father, who
worked at Hartley Feeders for many years. LaRoe and his family lived in a house at the feedyard, immersing him in day-to-day operations of a feedyard.

“I’ve always said I grew up in this industry. My dad was always involved with cattle,” LaRoe said. “His passion was handling cattle, and he loved being on a horse.”

That early exposure sparked LaRoe’s interest at a young age and led to only a brief period in his life when he was not directly involved in the cattle feeding industry.

After graduating from Clarendon College, LaRoe began his own career in the feedyard industry at the Cargill feedyard in Dalhart. Driven by his passion for the business, he worked his way through the ranks, managing the cattle department before eventually moving to the corporate office.

LaRoe later managed McLean Feeders for 13 years. Ten years ago, he moved to Smith Cattle Company, where he currently serves as director of operations.

Throughout his career, LaRoe has benefited from mentors who shared their experience and knowledge of the industry. Those relationships instilled in him a desire to help develop the next generation, ensuring the heritage of the cattle industry continues.

“The future of the industry comes from building and training the next generation. I have been fortunate to always have someone I’ve worked with that had a world of experience they were willing to share,” he said. “Even today I am still learning because I have been blessed with the opportunity to surround myself with strong people. I think that needs to be the base to keep this industry going.”

LaRoe is passionate about feeding the world and encourages others to explore opportunities within the industry, whether through allied industries or hands-on roles with cattle.

“The industry is big enough from the technologies we use to the equipment we use, so there is a place in this industry for people of all backgrounds,” LaRoe said. “It is so diversified that it doesn’t have to be just putting your hands on an animal.”

During his career, LaRoe has witnessed significant changes within the cattle feeding industry. From
the adoption of new technologies at feedyards to improvements in cattle genetics at the ranch level, these advancements have contributed to sustained and even increased demand for beef.

“It is not by accident that demand is as high as it has been in the last 40 years,” he said. “That
is a direct reflection of the hard work and focus that has been put into improving our product. It didn’t happen overnight; it has taken years. We have done a good job of listening to what our consumer wants.”