Sheep Industry News February 2023

Karen Maneotis Selected As NLFA Executive Director W ith 35 years of experience producing sheep, goats and cattle on the family ranch near Craig, Colo., Karen Maneotis has been selected as the new executive direc

tor for the National Lamb Feeders Association. "We're very happy to get someone hired who has a sheep and ranching background," said NLFA President Reed Anderson of Oregon. "But the most important thing is that we needed to hire a good person, and we think we've done that with Karen." The Maneotis family is no stranger to the American sheep industry. Karen's husband, Nick, currently serves as president of the Colorado Wool Growers Association and sits on ASI's Genetic Stakeholders Committee. The couple's daughter, Karissa Isaacs, worked on the lamb flavor audit during her years as a student at Colorado State University, then spent time with the American Lamb Board before eventually joining Superior Farms. "Karissa was the one who told me about the job," said Maneotis. "I have a passion for sheep and cattle, so I think I'll be a good fit with the National Lamb Feeders. I'm really excited to learn more about the association and what I can do to help them be productive. And I'm excited to work with both the American Lamb Board and ASI in this role." Maneotis was hired in early January and started work immedi ately as NLFA had meetings of its own scheduled during the ASI Annual Convention last month in Fort Worth, Texas. The biggest task at NLFA is planning the annual Howard Wyman Sheep Industry Leadership School, which generally takes place in the summer. "That's probably the biggest challenge for the person in this posi tion," said Anderson. "It's an important part of what the National Lamb Feeders does to support our industry because it gives other producers a chance to see the industry from our perspective and from the perspective of other producers. It requires a high level of organization and planning skills to put that school together. Those of us on the NLFA board are pretty busy with our own operations, so we rely heavily on the executive director to plan this event." Anderson said NLFA reached out to both Megan Wortman at ALB and ASI's Peter Orwick in looking for the right person to take on the contract position. While she hadn't worked directly with NLFA in the past, Ma neotis said she was already familiar with several of the association's board members, including Colorado's A.J. Nelson and NLFA Past President Jeff Hasbrouck. Wyoming producer Bob Harlan – who has served as NLFA's representative to the ASI Executive Board in

recent years – has also purchased rams from the family's ranch in past years. Like many in the ranching industry, Maneotis has traditionally held down a full-time position in addition to chores around the ranch. She's handled administrative roles for Southwestern Energy and APH Construction since 2001, working for roughly a decade in each position. She's served as a 4-H leader and a member of the Moffat County Cattlewomen. She also has assisted in organizing alumni and com munity events through the Moffat County FFA and served on the board of directors of the Colorado Swine Association. The contract position will allow Maneotis to work from home, where she can continue babysitting her granddaughter and assisting with daily ranch duties. New NLFA Executive Director Karen Maneotis shows off her granddaughters Charleigh Isaacs (left) and Atley Weber.

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