Ardmore, Oklahoma
April 1, 2009
Billy Cook, Ph.D., has been
selected as the new Senior Vice President and Director of the
Agricultural Division at The
Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation.
Cook, who currently manages the Agricultural Division’s research
team, assumed his new post today, providing a seamless
transition as former director Wadell Altom retired after 42
years of service at the Noble Foundation. Altom’s final day as
director was March 31.
“The decision to name Dr. Cook as the new Senior Vice President
and Director of the Agricultural Division was a simple one,”
said Michael A. Cawley, President and Chief Executive Officer.
“Dr. Cook is qualified, well respected and has already proven
his leadership abilities through his management of our
agricultural research team. Most importantly, however, he has a
vast wealth of experience and knowledge about the agricultural
industry. We’re confident that he will provide excellent
direction and continue the division’s great success.”
Cook joined the Noble Foundation in 1999 as a livestock
consultant, joining a team of agricultural specialists who
provide no-cost consultation to regional farmers and ranchers.
In 2004, he was named the Consulting Support Research Manager.
During the past five years, he has planned, coordinated and
implemented the Agricultural Division's research and
demonstration efforts. His responsibilities also included
overseeing the management of the Noble Foundation's 12,000 acres
of farmland.
“The Noble Foundation’s Agricultural Division plays a pivotal
role in assisting regional farmers and ranchers with achieving
their financial, production, stewardship and quality-of-life
goals, as well as educating and counseling them on the adoption
of sustainable practices, and continuing invaluable applied
research,” Cook said. “I look at the many challenges facing the
agricultural industry today and I know that our research and
consultation efforts have never been more important. This
division will continue to stay focused on the core needs of our
producers, while striving to provide solutions to the many
obstacles that will surely come to the next generation of
farmers and ranchers.”
Before joining the Noble Foundation, Cook served as general
manager of the Beef Development and Research Center of Texas. He
earned a doctoral degree in beef cattle production and meat
science from Texas A&M University in 1997. He also holds a
master’s degree in beef cattle production from Texas A&M and a
bachelor’s degree in animal health management from Sul Ross
State University in Alpine, Texas.
Cook has been married to his wife, Tammara, for 18 years.
Together they have two sons Hunter, 13, and Colton, 11.
Cook is a member of the American Society of Animal Science and
the American Meat Science Association. |
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