Two Kingfisher County residents featured prominently in the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association 69 ^th annual convention and the concurrent Oklahoma CattleWomen Inc. annual meeting last weekend.

Dover cattleman Byron Yeoman was elected to serve as the organization’s incoming president and Kingfisher western artist Kathryn Leitner was recognized by state cattlewomen as their honorary Cattlewoman of the Year.

Byron Yeoman

Yeoman will serve a two-year term as president.

“I am excited and very honored to serve as the OCA president. I would have never thought when I joined OCA more than 20 years ago that I would be serving in this capacity,” Yeoman said.

“The membership is the life and driving force of the association and it is an honor to have been nominated by my peers to lead an organization that means so much to me.”

Darrel Shepherd was elected as president-elect and will succeed Yeoman. Charlie Swanson of Roosevelt was elected to serve as the Past President’s Council Representative.

Each of the six OCA districts has a representative on the executive committee. These positions are situated so that two individuals rotate off each year.

Jesse Bierig of Ringwood was elected as Northwest District Vice President and Jeremy Kinder of Chattanooga was elected as Southwest District Vice President.

Each year a new director is elected for each district.

The directors elected this year are: Northwest – Kyle Barby of Beaver and Kristi Sproul of Isabella; North Central –Tim Stidham of Blackwell; Northeast – Jeff Owen of Vinita; Southwest – Jordan Cook of Cordell; South Central – Kelly Albrecht of Wapanucka; to come together to create policy, listen to informative speakers, celebrate industry accomplishments, and recognize individuals and groups who contribute to the success of the OCA.

Kathryn Leitner

Nominated by Connie Tabor, OCW’s president-elect, Leitner was chosen as the 2021 OCW Honorary Cattlewoman of the Year for the donation of her original artwork “Building Our Brand,” to be used as the centerpiece of a custom fundraising afghan.

“Kathryn worked closely with Connie, who is also our Ways and Means Chairman, to create a beautiful product that would complement any western home,” OCW President Cheyenne Sparks said.

Leitner’s artwork is bordered by the brands of OCW members and the afghans have been sold in an “extremely successful” fundraiser to finance beef promotion, education and legislative advocacy.

Leitner’s award was presented during OCW’s award luncheon last weekend.

In a Facebook post, Leitner described OCW as “a great bunch of ladies who do a lot of hard work for the beef industry and ranching families of Okahoma and beyond.

“I am truly humbled by their kindness.” Southeast – Curtis Curry of McAlester.

“The OCA is membership owned and driven. I appreciate the willingness of fellow cattlemen to serve as volunteer leaders and look forward to working together for the good of the industry,” Yeoman said.

The 69 ^th Annual OCA Convention and Trade Show was held last Friday and Saturday in Norman, in conjunction with the OCW and Oklahoma Junior Cattlemen’s Assocation annual meetings.

The largest annual gathering of cattle producers in Oklahoma, the events allow cattlemen and women