Fort Worth Stock Show Announces Year-end Results Appoints Barnes to General Manager
Fort Worth, Texas, April 17, 2007 – The Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show’s membership gathered for their annual meeting to receive reports of the 2007 Show and address various matters. Among these activities was the election of new board members, election of a new member of the executive committee, the elevation of one long-time director to the position of honorary vice president and announcement of a new general manager.
Elected to the executive committee is Mike Warner of Warner Stevens, L.L.P. New board members elected include: Pam Minick of Billy Bob’s Texas; and Rodney Woodson of Crouch Supply Co., Inc. Local businessman, Thomas E. Riddle, Jr. of Weatherford, Texas was elevated to the position of honorary vice president. All other directors and officers were re-elected.
Bradford S. Barnes was appointed by the Stock Show’s executive committee to the position of executive vice president / general manager. “Brad’s strong passion and commitment to youth and the livestock industry is unparalleled and he brings a tremendous amount of talent and business savvy to the Show,” said W.R. Watt, Jr., who will continue as Stock Show president. “Knowing he’s the right person for the job, the decision to retire from the general manager’s position after 35 years was easy,” Watt added. Stock Show Chairman, Edward P. Bass also praised Barnes’ appointment. “His leadership skills coupled with a deep knowledge of the Stock Show’s operations will ensure that capable hands are guiding the show to continued success,” said Bass. Barnes is only the eighth individual to hold the general manager position in the show’s 111-year history.
Watt reported the Show had another successful year, in spite of several days of adverse weather. “Although we were challenged by some rough weather that we had not experienced in well over a decade, we had another record breaking year in several respects,” he said. Livestock entries set an all-time record at 22,673. Of particular significance was a ten percent increase in junior steer entries and an eight percent jump for junior heifers. Other departments with increased entries included: open sheep; open swine; open boer goats; donkeys and mules; miniature horses; Palomino Horses; Quarter Horses and poultry.
New records were also set at the Sale of Champions, the annual auction for youth who exhibit in the junior livestock show. The sale set an overall record of $2.3 million and the grand champion steer sold for a record $185,000 to XTO Energy of Fort Worth. In addition, Texas youth pursuing college studies benefited from more than $350,000 awarded in scholarships and educational grants from the show during the fiscal year.
The 112th Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo is scheduled for January 11 through February 3, 2008. Celebrating Fort Worth’s historic ties to livestock and the people who raise them, the Stock Show provides visitors with a host of entertainment and educational events for everyone. Rodeo tickets may be ordered by mail through the Stock Show office beginning May 1. For additional information call (817) 877-2400 or visit
www.fwssr.com .
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