Progressive Farmer: Schroeder swaps beed for Western history

NEWSWATCH

NCBA

Charles "Chuck" Schroeder has resigned from the National Cattlemen's Beef Association to direct the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City. Schroeder, a Nebraska native and rancher, spent a tough six years as chief executive officer of NCBA. There he managed the melding of several groups-with diverse interests and no drought of opinions-into the new organization that became the NCBA.

The NCBA also has been contending with court challenges to its beef checkoff.

Schroeder says these battles had nothing to do with his leaving. In fact, he remains philosophical as he heads out the door.

"Turmoil and political battles, while they're serious, certainly don't flare any higher than the last six years with the merger and trying to turn around beef demand," he says. "Those were at least as volatile as what we're facing now with the yahoos trying to destroy the checkoff. I have tremendous respect and appreciation for the NCBA staff and volunteers."

Schroeder, a gifted fund-raiser with a big interest in Western heritage and public policy, sees opportunity with the museum, which was formerly called the National Cowboy Hall of Fame. "They are expanding and would like to significantly raise their visibility. People from around the world would come to better understand the people of the West," he says.

LEADERSHIP ROULETTE

Chuck Schroeder's resignation from the NCBA makes him the third leader of a prominent farm group to call it a career since last fall.

Last October, longtime National Pork Producers Council CEO Al Tank resigned as that organization broke into two groups under court orders.

And just last month the 14-year president of the National Farmers Union, Leland Swenson, announced his retirement.