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Dr. Hummel
2020 Recipient
Dr. Robert “Bob” Hummel graduated from The Ohio State University in 1961 with a Bachelor of Science degree in agriculture and a doctor of veterinary medicine degree. He later went on to complete the Owner/President Management course at Harvard University.
After graduating from The Ohio State, Hummel began a career as a technical service veterinarian with the American Cyanamid Company. A few years later, in 1967, Bob co-founded the Great Plains Chemical Company, Inc. in Greeley, Colorado. The name was later changed to Lextron, Inc., and it became one of the largest animal health distributors in the U.S. with a heavy emphasis toward the beef industry.
In 2011, the name of the company was changed to Animal Health International after a merger with Walco International. In 2015, the company was sold to Patterson Companies. It was at this time that Hummel decided to retire at the age of 78. Hummel left behind quite a legacy after retiring. The company he had co-founded had grown into a major supplier of animal health needs for the cattle industry, as well as supplying the feedyard technology needs for over 65% of the cattle on feed in the U.S. This included feedyard accounting, bunk and health management, mill and feed truck management, micro machines and grain conditioners.
Now, Hummel spends quality time with his wife, Carole, and his children and grandchildren. They enjoy spending summers in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and a few months a year in Santa Barbara, California.
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Jim Odle
2019 Recipient
A rancher turned auctioneer, Jim Odle was given a start in the auctioneering field by Claude Redman in 1962. Two years later, he purchased the Weld County Livestock Commission Company. This purchase was then sold, and he joined Brush Livestock Commission Company, which Jim bought in 1969 and sold in 1976. He also owned and operated Amarillo Livestock Auction in Amarillo, Texas from 1994 to 1996.
In 1972, Jim Odle and Chuck Cumberlin formed Odle Cumberlin Auctioneers and began conducting seasonal video cattle auctions. In 1986, he founded Odle Auctions and then merged with Amarillo Livestock Auction and Amarillo Livestock Video Auction to create Superior Livestock Auction. This move created a nationwide livestock market for America’s cattlemen.
Odle always kept Superior in the forefront, pioneering video cattle auctions via satellite and the internet once it became a viable tool. While in June of 2007, Jim and his partners sold Superior Livestock Auction, Jim has been asked to serve as General Manager and then as a management consultant until 2016.
Jim is also the founder, benefactor and the executive producer of “Cowboy Church TV” which nationally broadcasts Christian church services on RFD TV. During his illustrious career, Mr. Odle has been recognized by multiple organizations including other Hall of Fame designations, while serving on many notable boards.
Currently, Jim and his wife Ruth Ann reside on their ranch south of Brush, Colorado where they farm, run a cow-calf and feeder operation as well as raise quarter horses.
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Dee Griffin
2017 recipient
Dee Griffin, an “Okie” raised on a small cow/calf operation, has focused his entire professional career on cattle. After completing his veterinary degree from Oklahoma State University, he completed his graduate work at Purdue University focusing on pathology and nutrition. He then became the staff veterinarian for Hitch Enterprises, a family-owned operation that had 1,200 cows, nearly 20,000 stockers, more than 250,000 feeder cattle and two packing plants.
In his current position, Dr. Griffin is a clinical professor at Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine.
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Randy Blach
2016 recipient
Randy Blach is the executive vice president and chief executive officer of CattleFax where he has worked since 1981. Throughout his career, Randy has spoken at hundreds of cattle and beef industry meetings, seminars and conventions. Randy and his family remain actively involved in cattle ranching with cow/calf, stocker and finished cattle.
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