General Session
Keynote Address

Wednesday, 9:15-9:45 a.m.

Charles P. Schroeder Executive Director, National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum

Charles P. “Chuck” Schroeder is a native of western Nebraska ranch country and has held a number of leadership positions in the public, private and non-profit sectors. Before taking his museum post in 2002, he was CEO of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, headquartered in Denver, CO, and Washington, DC.

Chuck has a BS degree in Animal Science from the University of Nebraska and was Nebraska’s Director of Agriculture before returning to the university to serve as Executive Vice President of the University of Nebraska Foundation. He is currently on the boards of Agriculture Future of America, the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce, the Oklahoma State Fair, and Payne Education Center.

His previous volunteer leadership roles include terms as chairman of the Council for Agricultural Research, Extension and Teaching; president of the Heartland Center for Leadership Development; chairman of the Beef Industry Food Safety Council; and founding board member of the Rural Policy Research Institute. His interest in the American West ranges from American Quarter Horses, art, political history and livestock genetics.

He has received the NU College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources Alumnus Award, the Ak-Sar-Ben Agricultural Achievement Award, and is listed in Who’s Who in the Western Livestock Industry.

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