With his service to the industry and collaborative efforts in government working with industry and academia, Dr. Lawrence Yates is especially deserving of the 2016 American Meat Science Association (AMSA) Special Recognition Award. The Special Recognition Award is sponsored by the American Meat Science Association (AMSA) and will be presented at the AMSA 69th Reciprocal Meat Conference on Tuesday, June 21, 2016 in San Angelo, TX.
A native of Richardson, Texas, Lawrence D. Yates received a Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry (1975) and a Master of Science degree in Animal Breeding (1975) from Texas A&M University. Lawrence subsequently enrolled at the University of Wisconsin-Madison where he received a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Meat and Animal Science (1982). Lawrence Yates’ background is one of depth and variety as he has held positions in all three areas of academics, industry and government. After graduation, he held academic appointments at the University of Washington (1982-1988) and then Oklahoma State University, Department of Animal Science (1988-1994). In 1994 he was hired as the Executive Director of the $8.9 million Nebraska Beef Council's check-off program until his departure in 1998 when he was hired by Red Oak Farms, Inc. as Vice President of Quality Control and Compliance from 1998 to 2000. Dr. Yates was then hired by the Department of Agriculture (USDA) in the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) where he has served with distinction up to the present. Lawrence has been primarily involved in and responsible for major Departmental initiatives in meat quality and carcass composition.