Page 6 - WCA December Ketch Pen 2020

HEADQUARTERS
Meet Your New President
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As I mentioned in my acceptance speech during the virtual convention, I am humbled and honored to have been chosen to lead this great organization.
For those of you that do not know me, I am Don Blakemore and I live in Touchet, WA. My wife Rhonda and I have two daughters: Jill and Kelsey. We have two great son-in-laws and we now have four grandchildren.
What can I say about 2020 other than it has been a crazy and unpredictable year? This was witnessed with our virtual convention, instead of us being able to get together, enjoy each other’s company and visit with all our friends.
I hope most of you were able to participate in the virtual convention. It took a lot work and preparation to put it all together. Ashley did a great job and we appreciate all of her effort. Bev was also instrumental in helping put it all together and organized a very nice dinner so we could have a special evening, celebrating Sam’s years of service. Thanks Bev for all you do.
2021 will not be without challenges, as every
year has them. We had several wins with the Trump administration; with fewer regulations, favorable water polices and yes, the federal delisting of the wolves. Going into next year, apparently with a new administration,
we may see a roll back on these key issues. We will be watching with a close eye and addressing our plans accordingly.
On the local level, our lobbyist Mark Streuli did a good job of laying out a working road map for us in the November issue of the Ketch Pen. We will be addressing these more in depth in the coming weeks and months once the legislature starts their virtual session.
Once again, thank you for the opportunity to lead this organization. Keep me posted on when you are having meetings, as I will try to attend as many as I can.
Best Regards,
I then took a job with the Farmer-Stockman magazines in Spokane. After six and a half years there I accepted a position with an animal pharmaceutical company. For the following 30 years, I traveled the Pacific Northwest with a variety of companies and thankfully survived several mergers and buyouts.
I would like to thank Sam Ledgerwood for his dedication and commitment to this organization and the industry as a whole. He has led this organization through many highs and lows and has done an outstanding
job. He is leaving the organization in very good shape, enabling us to have a clear path as we move forward.
I grew up in Oakesdale, WA
where we farmed, had a cow calf operation, and
an International Harvester dealership. After graduation from Oakesdale, I went on to play football at Whitworth College in Spokane. After graduation,
Don Blakemore and his top hand “Beau”
I returned to the farm until we sold out in 1981.
Ketch Pen www.washingtoncattlemen.org
December 2020