First off, I am truly humbled to serve as your president and represent an organization that continues to serve animal producers, industry, and others desiring research-based technical information on the animal sciences. No other organization comes close to providing certification and continuing education, commitment to a code of ethics, and disseminating the caliber of applied scientific information through their own peer-reviewed journal.

I am looking forward to an exciting year of advancement for ARPAS and hope to serve you well as your president for this year. Over 25 years ago I became a member of ARPAS and then in 1995 became a certified diplomat in ACAS. I believed in the future of ARPAS then and continue to have that faith as we move forward.

I want to thank Dr. Michael Galyean for his service and leadership as president last year. I only hope I can fill his shoes adequately. I will be leaning on Michael, Ken Cummings, Bob Wettemann, and Jeremy Holzner for their guidance and advice through the coming year. I also want to encourage the ARPAS Executive Committee to continue their strong work efforts in guiding this society.