Polly Ruhland is the new Chief Executive Officer of the Cattlemen's Beef Board, as hired today by the Beef Board Executive Committee. Ruhland has been serving as the interim CEO since June 28, and the chairman of the Executive Committee in charge of hiring her said she more than proved herself in her three months in that position.

“Polly was the right choice for this checkoff, and for this industry,” said Weldon Wynn, Executive Committee chairman and Beef Board vice chairman. “She has a powerful passion for the checkoff and for the beef industry, and she has absolutely proven in the last three months that she can run this operation astutely. She has an excellent rapport with staff and our contractors, and I don’t think we could have found anyone at this time who could have done the job as well as she is doing it.

“I think producers across America will certainly be satisfied with the results Polly achieves,” Wynn continued. “And I feel honored to have been serving as the chairman of the committee that hired her.”

Beef Board Chairman Wesley Grau echoed Wynn’s sentiments.

“Polly brings a breath of fresh air to the CBB,” Grau said. “More importantly, her knowledge of the checkoff and our contractors allows us to move forward with much needed improvements to the checkoff. “Her demeanor is beyond reproach,” he continued. “Her knowledge is beyond reproach. And her willingness and ability to get things done is second to none. As chairman of the Beef Board, I am very pleased that Polly has accepted this position.”

Ruhland joined the Beef Board team as director of evaluation in early 2010. Her previous 20-plus years in the beef industry most recently included six years with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), working in the areas of issues management, membership and communications. Prior to NCBA, she served as communication director for the North American Limousin Foundation (NALF), was compliance coordinator for the institutional animal care and use committee at Colorado State University, and was director of communications for the American Gelbvieh Association.

“The opportunity to serve farmers and ranchers in this way is an unparalleled honor,” Ruhland said. “I am committed to working every hour of every day to promote beef through the unique cooperation and coordination offered by the Beef Checkoff Program.”

 

Source: Cattleman’s Beef Board