Arturo Armendariz Distinguished Service Award

Dwight Doffin has devoted 30 years to the cattle industry with FELLER & CO in Wisner, Nebraska. FELLER & CO was just in its infancy in 1989 when Doffin started.

Doffin is a major part of the company’s
growth and success. In 1992, FELLER & CO decided to expand to another county. Doffin was tapped to head up the construction and establish the relationships needed to get the
project going.

Doffin is a graduate of Northeast Community College. He is a member of the NECC judging team, Mid-States Rodeo Association, NE Cattlemen and Cuming County Feeders, and a past president of Stanton County Feeders. Doffin’s work ethic and commitment is a great asset to FELLER & CO through his 30 years of his employment. His range of expertise runs from animal health, bunk reads, cattle performance, mill operation, yard construction, troubleshooting, employee management, cattle purchases, customer relations, mechanics and, at times, “management consoling.” Doffin’s 80-hour weeks were standard for many years, always coming with a let’s “Get-R-Done” attitude. His leadership is respected and admired because he works alongside peers on any project in front of him. From all aspects of feedyard management, he understands how to connect the dots. Doffin is committed, reliable and brings unprecedented integrity to his job and the industry.

Other than work, his hobby is rodeos. He’s participated in the Mid-States Rodeo Finals numerous times. Doffin’s significant other, Katie, has three boys — Colton, Austin and Kash — and he enjoys following in their education and rodeo careers. In addition to managing the feedlot, he feeds his own cattle and has farmland he owns and farms. Congratulations, Dwight Doffin, for this well-deserved award.

Jessie Ramirez
2019 recipient

Born and raised in El Saucillo, Zacatecas, Mexico; Jessie grew up on the family ranch with his 13 siblings. Even during his more formative years, he farmed and raised sheep as well as cattle with the family. He moved to Garden City, Kansas in 1971 and began working for Brookover Feedyard in August of 1983.

Dedicated, passionate and tenacious, Jessie Ramirez has spent his 36-year career in the spirit of faithful service. With a short stature and a big heart, Mr. Ramirez has built a reputation for running into the occupational fire when most would run the other way. This positive attitude and never-say-no approach to the job has earned him the moniker of “Little Big Man” from his admiring fellow employees.

Jessie has worked for one establishment — The Brookover Companies — his entire career. During that time, his skill in operating, and repairing equipment has brought him the respect of his peers. Mr. Ramirez’s work ethic, commitment and leadership through example combine to make Jessie the perfect model of what the Arturo Armendariz Service award is all about.

Eulogio Dimas
2017 recipient
With dedication and commitment, Eulogio Dimas has worked in the cattle industry for nearly 38 years. Within his first year of employment at Southwest Feeders, he became the feedyard production manager, supervising the animal health and feeding programs. 

Jim Allen
2016 Recipient 
Jim Allen grew up feeding cattle with his father on the family farm. In 1975, Jim relocated to Garden City, Kansas where he spent the next 40 years feeding cattle. There is not a feedyard role that Jim hasn't played, but he is best known for his dedication to the art of feeding cattle and delivering the best beef cattle in the industry. 

Karla Olson
2015 Recipient 
A lifelong resident of Hoxie, KS, Karla Olson grew up on her family’s dairy and farming operation. That work helped lay the foundation for her ultimate success at Hoxie Feedyard, where she began her career in 1976. In the four decades since she began working with Hoxie, Karla’s oversight has grown to managing a count of 53,000 head of cattle.   

Brad Thomas
2014 Recipient
Brad Thomas is described as a “true cowboy” by those who have the honor of working by his side. A traumatic accident changed his life forever when he lost both arms. Despite setbacks, he continues to drive to and from his work at Darr Feedlot in Cozad, Nebraska, saddle his own horse, ride pens and help others around him. Overcoming these challenges contributed to the motto of this courageous cowboy: “Never give up.”  

Edward "Mike" McMillian
2013 Recipient
Mike McMillan has dedicated more than 40 years to the cattle-feeding business. After serving as a Marine, Mike came to the industry in 1971 as a cattle checker on Monfort’s original feedyard north of Greeley, Colo. He quickly began working his way up the company while working on his associate’s degree from Aims Community College and bachelor’s degree from the University of Northern Colorado.

Hector Pacheco
2012 Recipient 
Hector Pacheco has dedicated more than 60 years of hard work and exceptional loyalty to the cattle industry. He has also passed down the pride for dedicated service, quality care and high standards to his son, who followed in his footsteps and works for the same feedyard.

Erasmo “Chico” Becerra
2011 Recipient 
Chico Becerra, a 32-year cattle feeding veteran, is one of a man overcoming hardship with pluck and genuine compassion, his story is also completed with loyalty to a higher calling of true service rather than punching a clock and constantly exemplifying the highest ideals.