AUSTIN, TX – The Texas Beef Council’s (TBC) newly elected board of directors began the new fiscal year leading the state’s producer-run beef marketing organization. The TBC board of directors consists entirely of beef producers providing representation of the state through organization affiliation. In addition, the board may elect two directors at large, without nomination by a qualified organization, to round out the board with equitable geographic and sector representation.

Austin Brown III of Beeville is the newly elected chairman of the TBC board. Brown represents the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association. Brown is a cow-calf producer and ranches in South Texas.

“I’m honored to serve Texas cattlemen and women in this leadership role,” said Brown. “Texas beef producers should know their state and national beef checkoff program is working hard to help build beef demand on their behalf and help them be profitable.”

Jason Beyer of Dublin will represent the packers on the TBC board and is the newly elected vice chairman.

Joining Brown and Beyer on the executive committee are Ryan Moorhouse, Steven Lastovica and outgoing chair, Dave Edmiston. The executive committee acts for the entire board on matters that require action between regularly scheduled meetings for the full 20 member board.

The TBC board establishes the budget and ultimately decides which demand building programs receive checkoff funding collected under the national Beef Checkoff Program. Directors can serve up to six consecutive one-year terms on the TBC board.

“For more than 28 years Texas beef producers have been making decisions about where their checkoff dollars are invested in the areas of promotion, research and education,” said Brown. “I’m confident in our board’s vision and strategic plan that will be implemented through fiscal year 2016.”