Governor Greg Abbot named Coleman Locke of Hungerford as Chairman and reappointed him to the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) representing the beef cattle industry on March 8, 2016. The Governor additionally appointed three TAHC Commissioners. Jim Eggleston representing the general public, Stephen Selman representing the poultry industry, and Leo Vermedahl representing the feedlot industry.
Coleman Locke has served on the commission since 2004. He is a partner and manager of the Locke Division of J.D. Hudgins Ranch and the president of J.D. Hudgins, Inc. He is a director and executive committee member of the Texas Southwest Cattle Raisers Association, lifetime committeeman of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, and past director of the Federation of State Beef Councils. Additionally, he is past president and lifetime director of the American Brahman Breeders Association and Texas Brahman Association, and past chairman of the Texas Beef Council and the Beef Promotion and Research Council of Texas. Locke received a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Abilene Christian University. His term as TAHC Chairman is set to expire September 6, 2021.
Jim Eggleston of Weatherford is a founding partner of the law firm Eggleston King, LLP. He is board certified in Commercial Real Estate Law and Farm and Ranch Real Estate Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. He frequently speaks to continuing legal education groups on farm and ranch topics. He is admitted to practice law in Texas, Oklahoma and Ohio, and before the United States Supreme Court. He is a member of the Texas Bar Foundation and College of the State Bar of Texas. Additionally, he has served on the State Bar of Texas’ Real Estate Legislative Affairs Committee, Board of Legal Specialization’s real estate exam committee, and serves as general counsel for the Texas Longhorn Marketing Alliance. Eggleston received a Bachelor of Arts from Oklahoma Christian University and a Juris Doctor from the University of Kansas School of Law. His term as TAHC commissioner is set to expire September 6, 2021.
Stephen Selman of Woodway is a corporate production manager for Sanderson Farms, Inc. He is the vice president of the Texas Poultry Federation and Affiliates and the former president of its Texas Broiler Council. He was honorably discharged from the United States Marine Corps Reserves. Selman received a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science from Stephen F. Austin State University. His term as TAHC commissioner is set to expire September 6, 2021.
Leo Vermedahl of Dalhart is owner of Vermedahl Cattle Company. He is a member and former president of the Texas Cattle Feeders Association, member and former executive committee member of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. Additionally, he is former chairman of the Texas Beef Council and the Cattlemen’s Beef Board Budget and Audit Committee. Vermedahl received a Bachelor of Science in Animal Husbandry, a Doctor of Philosophy in Nutrition from the University of Minnesota, and a Master of Agriculture in Feedlot Management from Texas A&M University. Vermedahl’s term as TAHC commissioner is set to expire September 6, 2017.
