MEET. EDUCATE. CONNECT. CALIFORNIA CATTLEMEN’S FOUNDATION HIRES DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION by CCA Director of Communications Katie Roberti As a state with a population of more than 39 million, California is home to people with diverse lifestyles—ranchers included. A day in Los Angeles County could range from visiting Universal Studios Hollywood to walking on the Santa Monica Pier to riding horses at Diamond W Land & Livestock with rancher and California Cattlemen’s Foundation board member Mike Williams. Cattle ranching is not a way of life most Californians get to partake in or experience— outside of maybe watching the Dutton family try their hand at it on Yellowstone. For those who know nothing about the cows they pass on the pastures parallel to Interstate 5 or little about the locally-sourced beef they order at their favorite restaurant, there's a connection missing to the people preserving those open spaces and raising the livestock they pass. The immense diversity in this state brings the need for California’s ranching community to proactively communicate the significant value of cattle production in the country’s most populous state. With the addition of Lisa Brendlen serving as the Foundation’s Director of Education in a full-time staff position, the California Cattlemen’s Foundation (Foundation) is aiming to fill that very need, specifically for agency officials and staff. Brendlen has worked for the California Cattlemen’s Association for more than a decade, most recently as the Association’s Director of Finance, Membership and Events. She’s led the charge for putting on almost a dozen Feeder Meetings, annual CCA & CCW Conventions, Steak & Eggs Breakfasts and numerous other gatherings. At the same time, Brendlen has also managed membership and the financials for CCA and other affiliates. She is no stranger to ranching practices in the West and knows firsthand the passion and pride ranching families in California hold in caring for the land and livestock. “A decade-plus of serving in membership,
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events and finance roles for the California Cattlemen’s Association has given me an understanding of the industry and led me to deeply care about the people who make this way of life what it is,” Brendlen said. “I am honored to have the opportunity to continue serving producers in this new facet and am excited to share my love for and knowledge of the industry with agency officials wanting to learn about all the incredible ways cattle ranching contributes to this state.” Following the Foundation obtaining funding from the California Cattle Council to engage in this type of work, the position, primarily funded by the Council, was posted in June. Brendlen says she saw the work as an opportunity for her to do something new in the industry and make the most of the skills and knowledge she’s been building on throughout her time at CCA. After discussing her interest in the position with CCA Executive Vice President Billy Gatlin, CCA’s officer team and the Foundation’s board of directors, it was determined Brendlen was the best candidate for the job. “From my perspective, it was a clear and easy decision to have Lisa take on the Foundation's Director of Education position," Gatlin said. “However, the decision was not made lightly or without the consultation of Foundation leadership and CCA leadership. All engaged in this process enthusiastically support Lisa assuming this new role.” ...CONTINUED ON PAGE 28