Both of the men worked for Yates Petroleum. They asked Bert what he was doing in Santa Fe and he said he was there to support the oil and gas bill. “Later, Caren asked how I knew those men,” Bert recalls. “She said that the industry had been fighting with those men over that bill for a month, but they wouldn’t give an inch. But at that moment they were sitting down at the table willing to make amendments to the bill.” As Caren remembers the story, she didn’t know at the time of Bert’s connection to the Artesia area, but has since learned that he was a big-time football star in high school and much more. “One of the oil patch lobbyists told me we didn’t need to bring the big guns, they were willing to talk,” Caren remembers. “When you need back-up, Bert is the man.” Bert was given the green light by Bell Ranch management to help out with legislative efforts, so he spent more and more time in Santa Fe, where his big hat, commanding prese n ce an d o u tg o in g personality made friends for the industry. “He is well respected by those he met when he was lobbying for us in Santa Fe,” noted Darrel Brown, general ranch manager for Yates Family Ranches. “Everyone knows him.” Alisa Ogden remembers, “When I went to Santa Fe as President Elect for NMCGA, I was very green and knew only a few people. Bert took me around to a few offices to
introduce me to the legislators and to their staff he had grown to know. This was something which was very beneficial for me as a newby. Once, when I had to testify at a committee hearing, I was on my own. I called out the cavalry and Bert was among those in boots with hats who had my back that day. Bert has always been someone I could count on to have my back.” Jose Varela Lopez also served his time
(above) Gary Green, Bert & Happy in 1985. (left) Bert on the cover of Southwest Art Magazine in 1985. Photo by Kurt Markus.
with the legislature and remembers, “I vividly recall Bert’s one of a kind style when addressing legislators during committee hearings at the Roundhouse in Santa Fe.
Between his cowboy accent, plain spoken message and easy going personality he had every legislator paying full attention to his message.” Bert’s involvement deepened and he became regional NMCGA vice president, then president of the organization. “I felt there were enough problems to handle in the state, so I stayed hitched up here,” Bert remembers. Jose related,” Bert was one of the first people I met when I became a member of NMCGA many years ago. His personality, quick wit, abiding faith and knowledge of the issues facing our industry made us immediate friends.“ Bert also understood that the rest of the world had little understanding of a working ranch, so when Cattle Growers and the New Mexico Beef Council asked if they could bring a Gate to Plate tour to the Bell, he enthusiastically agreed. “Bert and his son Button fixed us a chuckwagon lunch with all the authentic food, then he showed us the map room and the old post office and just was great about giving the media and legisltors factual information about ranching,” noted Patty Waid, event coordinator. “Bert has a down-home, easy persona and made it so easy for the tour participants to see that he loved the ranch, the history and the people who made up the ranching industry.” Patty also coordinates the Cowboy Christmas Social each year at the Joint Stockman’s meeting. She makes sure that representatives from the Cattle Growers’ Board meet with the vendors at the event so that the vendors have a face to put with
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BERT ANCELL
Cattleman of the Year Congratulations Bert on this prestigious award from your fellow cattlemen. You have been a tireless worker on behalf of the livestock industry and we appreciate all you do.
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NOVEMBER 2016