Roberts to resign as NCBA CEO

WASHINGTON, June 29, 2015 – Forrest Roberts has announced that he will resign as head the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association at the end of July, NCBA said in a release Monday afternoon.

According to the NCBA release, Roberts, who has been at the helm of the nation’s largest beef producer organization since January of 2009, is leaving to “pursue other opportunities in the cattle industry and agribusiness.” In a statement, he said it had been “a privilege” to serve as NCBA’s CEO for the last six years and that he leaves the organization “with many great memories.”

NCBA President Philip Ellis said Roberts improved the association during his tenure and he wishes him well in the future.

“Under Forrest Roberts’ leadership NCBA membership has increased significantly, NCBA is in a solid financial position, convention attendance is at record levels and the NCBA-managed programs to build consumer demand for beef as a contractor to the beef checkoff are achieving significant results,” Ellis said in a statement. “In addition, Roberts has strengthened industry partnerships domestically and internationally.”

Roberts came to NCBA after 16 years in marketing and sales in the animal health industry. He was most recently the marketing manager for Elanco’s beef business unit. In addition to work with NCBA, Roberts was also involved with other industry-related organizations such as the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance, where he was on the founding board of directors.

NCBA Chief Operating Officer Kendal Frazier has been named interim CEO to manage the day-to-day operations, including NCBA staff, until a new CEO is identified. Ellis said the NCBA officers will work with the NCBA Executive Committee to develop a process to search for and identify a new CEO.

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