The US Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (USRSB) convened for its 2026 General Assembly Meeting, bringing together stakeholders from across the beef value chain to advance the theme “Science & Stewardship: Driving Progress.”

This year’s event welcomed members and non-members alike to Tampa, Fla., and highlighted the power of collaboration and innovation through engaging main stage sessions, interactive breakout discussions, and beef sustainability focused tours.

“More than 145 industry stakeholders joined us this year to explore critical topics ranging from food waste and supply chain innovation to grazingland conversion and water stewardship,” said Samantha Werth, PhD, executive director of the USRSB. “I am proud of the work our membership is pursuing to drive progress across all facets of the beef value chain.”

In addition to robust discussions and networking opportunities, which included an evening rooftop reception and option between two pre-meeting Beef Industry Sustainability Tours, new officers and board of directors were elected, welcoming new leadership to the team.  

“It is an honor to be elected as the new chair for the US Roundtable for Sustainable Beef,” said Tom McDonald, 2026-27 USRSB chair. “I am excited about the priorities set before the USRSB this year, and I look forward to continuing to improve and expand upon the value our organization can bring to our members and the broader beef industry.”

 The newly elected officers, each serving one-year terms, are:

• Chair: Tom McDonald, Texas Cattle Feeders Association 
• Chair-elect: Jeff Goodwin, Texas A&M University Center for Grazinglands and Ranch Management
• Secretary/Treasurer: Emily Folkestad, Beef Northwest Feeders
• Immediate Past Chair: Nancy Labbe, The Nature Conservancy

In addition to the officers, USRSB welcomed new member organizations and delegates to its 2026-27 Board of Directors, ensuring broad representation across the industry:

Allied Industry (Term: April 2026 – April 2028)

• Primary: Farm Credit Services of America (Myriah Johnson)
• Appointed: Elanco Animal Health (Jessica Gilreath)

Packer/Processor (Term: April 2026 – April 2028)

• Primary: Cargill (Scott Pohlman)
• Appointed: Golden State Foods (PJ Newcomb)

Retail/Food Service (Term: April 2026 – April 2028)

• Primary: Darden Restaurants (Bryan Valladares)
• Appointed: Pending

Civil Society (Term: April 2026 – April 2028)

• Primary: The Nature Conservancy (Rob Manes)
• Secondary: Ducks Unlimited (Billy Gascoigne)

Producer (Term: April 2026 – April 2028)

• Primary: Florida Cattlemen’s Association (Gene Lollis)
• Appointed: National Grazing Lands Coalition (Charlie Besher)

 Standing Board of Directors member organizations and delegates include:

Allied Industry (Term: April 2025 – April 2027)

• Primary: FMG Global (Tim Hardman)
• Appointed: Rabobank North America (Lance Zimmerman)

Packer/Processor (Term: April 2025 – April 2027)

• Primary: Lopez Dorada Foods (Brooke Davis)
• Appointed: American Foods Group, LLC (Ashley Lembke)

Retail/Food Service (Term: April 2025 – April 2027)

• Primary: Taco Bell/YUM! Brands (Mark Seyfert)
• Appointed: US Foods (Tony Arend)

Civil Society (Term: April 2025 – April 2027)

• Primary: Noble Research Institute (Hugh Aljoe)
• Appointed: Texas A&M University Center for Grazinglands and Ranch Management (Jeff Goodwin)

Producer (Term: April 2025 – April 2027)

• Primary: Texas Cattle Feeders Association (Tom McDonald)
• Appointed: Kansas Livestock Association (Clayton Huseman)