Beefmaster Breeders United is excited to bring a new addition to the Beefmaster staff. Jon Garza will serve as the Director of International Programs and his duties include coordinating our international programs, as well as helping grow more interest in Beefmaster genetics on the international and domestic fronts.
Garza comes to us from the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA), where he most recently acted as Director for International Programs and Livestock Export Pens. His duties consisted of directing, developing and implementing and being the primary information source for the agency relative to all international programs and livestock export.
“I am excited to be a part of the Beefmaster family and working for all of you through expanding our current markets and opening new markets around the globe,” said Garza.
He is originally from Laredo, Texas, and attended U.S. Army Chemical School in Fort McClellan, Ala., and graduated from Texas A&M Kingsville with a Bachelor of Science in Range and Wildlife Management. Shortly after graduating, he started working for TDA as a field investigator/inspector in Corpus Christi and then served as TDA Coordinator for the Grain Warehouse Program in Austin. Garza served a total of 25 years and seven months with the TDA and served six years in the military.
Garza’s volunteer work consists of serving on the United States Livestock Genetics Export Board of Directors and is an officer in Post 1805 of the Catholic War Veterans of Austin.
He and his wife, Denise, have three grown children and eight grandchildren. His family has used Beefmaster bulls on their South Texas cattle ranch for over 30 years. They still own and operate two ranches, which date back to 1808 through the Spanish land grant.
“Jon is well respected in the international cattle market and we look forward to him working with Beefmaster breeders to expand the demand for Beefmaster genetics throughout the United States and abroad,” says BBU Executive Vice President Collin Osbourn. “Let’s all welcome Jon to the Beefmaster family.”
Garza can be contacted at (512) 517-5163 or by email at jgarza@beefmasters.org.