COMMON TIES

How TSCRA provides a shared voice for landowners and cattle raisers.

By Chrissy Fly

Clark Welder, a seasoned rancher and oil and gas attorney, carries on a rich family legacy rooted in the land. With a profound love for his heritage, Welder embraces the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for the ranching industry.

Hailing from Beeville, Welder says the cattle business became part of his DNA from an early age. Today, he manages his family’s property, which has been in active operation for 150 years.

Welder’s membership and involvement with Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association has been an integral part of his life, too. His late father, Raymond Welder, was an active director for many years, and served as an honorary director later in life. Raymond’s father was active in the organization, too.

Among the family’s cherished relics is a medallion from the 25th silver anniversary of the Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association convention in 1901.

“It was worn by my great-grandfather, Tom Welder, who was a trailer driver back in the 1870’s,” Welder explains.

Elected to the Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association board of directors in 2009, he says the connections made by joining and getting involved in the organization are indispensable.

“TSCRA, for me, is a really wonderful organization that allows you to meet so many of your peers,” Welder says. “And when you have a question or a challenge on your property, you can pick up the phone and call someone who’s faced the same challenge and ask them, ‘Well, how do I overcome this?’”

Welder’s involvement in the association has been multi-faceted. He has served on various committees, including the legislative affairs and tax committee, as well as the previous association promotion committee. He continues to encourage young people to join and to be involved — recognizing the next generation holds the key to the industry’s future.

For Welder, Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association provides a unified voice and pillar of support for the ranching community.

“It’s absolutely critical for landowners to be a member of TSCRA,” he says. “The problems and challenges we face are typically too large for one person to handle. It takes some scale, and that’s what TSCRA offers. They’re an organization that will have your back.”

Welder also emphasizes the invaluable role of Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association brand inspectors and special rangers in promoting landowner rights. He recognizes many Texas landowners are absentee. The presence of the association’s special rangers becomes an immeasurable benefit, ensuring the protection and welfare of all property owners, regardless of membership status.

Or as he puts it: “Just having the boots on the ground and the knowledge to know what to look for is so huge.”

Welder is a graduate of Texas A&M University and St. Mary’s University School of Law. He and his wife, Alice, have three daughters, Lilly, Alice and Lindsay. T C

ARTHUR G. UHL 111 President

4040 Broadway St., Ste. 430 San Antonio, Texas 78209

Past Presidents

John M. “Jack” Shelton III Amarillo, 1984-1986

James L. Powell San Angelo, 1988-1990

Tom Beard Alpine, 1994-1995

C. Coney Burgess Amarillo, 1997-1999

J. Mark McLaughlin San Angelo, 1999-2001

John E. Dudley Comanche, 2001-2003

Bob McCan Victoria, 2003-2005

C.R. “Dick” Sherron Beaumont, 2005-2007

Jon Means Van Horn, 2007-2009

Dave Scott Richmond, 2009-2011

Joe J. Parker Byers, 2011-2013

CARL RAY POLK JR. First Vice President P.O. Box 155108 Lufkin, Texas 75915

Pete Bonds Saginaw, 2013-2016

Richard Thorpe lll Winters, 2016-2018

Robert E. McKnight Jr. Fort Davis, 2018-2020

G. Hughes Abell Austin, 2020-2022

Honorary Vice Presidents

Jack Hunt San Juan Capistrano, California

Richard Wortham Austin

Executive Staff

HEADQUARTERS

P.O. Box 101988 Fort Worth, Texas 76185 817-332-7064 • 800-242-7820

Jason Skaggs Executive Vice President/ Chief Executive Officer

Jaclyn Roberts Parrish Executive Director, Communications & Marketing

STEPHEN DIEBEL Second Vice President and Secretary/Treasurer 3907 Salem Rd. Victoria, Texas 77904

Emily Lochner

Executive Director, Engagement & Education

Grace Dunham

Executive Director, Events & Partnerships

Megan Wills

Executive Director, Finance & Human Resources

Michele Woodham Executive Director, Insurance Services

Scott Williamson

Executive Director, Law Enforcement, Brand & Inspection Services

Lisa Walker

Executive Director, Membership & Operations

GOVERNMENT RELATIONS

919 Congress Ave., Suite 750 Austin, Texas 78701

Melissa Hamilton Executive Director, Government Relations