Campbell leaving VCA post with sense of pride

Wayne Campbell, center, outgoing president of the Virginia Cattlemen’s Association, says a highlight of his year in office has been meeting people in the cow/calf based beef industry in the state. Above, Campbell and  VCA employees, Butch  Foster, left,  and Willie Morris, gathered at an industry event at the New River Valley  Fairgrounds last year. (Photo by Jane W. Graham)

ABDINGTON, Va. — David Wayne Campbell, the outgoing president of the Virginia Cattlemen’s Association, handed the job to James Kean during the Virginia Beef Expo with a sense of accomplishment.
“It was a great honor to be president this year,” Campbell, known to most as Wayne, said in a telephone interview from his home, here. “I met so many tremendous people across this great state. We are a cow/calf state.”
Campbell pointed to accomplishments withing VCA this year. One is the creation of by-laws for the organization.
He noted he is the first president of the group to serve under them.
VCA set up new committees during the year and has gotten more people involved in its work.
“It felt like everybody was unified and working together,” Campbell said. “We agreed to disagree at times. We became more diversified, putting more legs on the stool.”
He said emphasis has been on marketing, policy and member relationships.
“We have been able to be involved with so many different associations across the state,” he said.
VCA also introduced its own risk management insurance and is working to become known for branded beef. Willie Morris was hired to lead this project.
Campbell pointed to the Virginia Cattle Foundation’s activities — awarding scholarships to five young people with particular pride.
He said the foundation was also able to help with renovations at the VCA office in Daleville, Va.
“I’m very proud of what I’ve accomplished,” he said.
He said the work will be tweaked from year-to-year as the organization continues its work.
“I plan to be involved with VCA,” Campbell said. “I’m willing to serve. I just don’t know where. Right now, I need to get along with my farming.”
Campbell has a small herd of registered Hereford cattle and a larger cow/calf herd.
He also has stockers.
He tries to ship a couple of loads of these three times a year.