FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 09-02-15                         CONTACT: 

National Ranching Heritage Center                                        Sue H. Jones

3121 Fourth St., Box 43200                                                   [email protected]

Lubbock, Texas 79409                                                            806.834.2646

Dave True to Receive National Golden Spur Award Oct. 17

National Ranching Heritage Center Hosts Award Dinner

Dave True recipient of the National Golden Spur Award.

Dave True, a rancher in Casper, Wyo., will receive the 2015 National Golden Spur Award during a 6 p.m. dinner Oct. 17 at the National Ranching Heritage Center (NRHC) in Lubbock, Texas.

Hosted by the Ranching Heritage Association (RHA), the dinner annually honors the National Golden Spur Award recipient in recognition of lifetime contributions to the ranching and livestock industry.

The event will begin with a reception and silent auction at 6 p.m. followed by dinner, the award presentation and entertainment provided by singer/songwriter Red Stegall.

Individual tickets are $100 each ($75 for RHA members) and a table for eight may be reserved for $1,250. Tickets must be purchased in advance by contacting Vicki Quinn-Williams at 806.834.0469 or [email protected].

The NRHC is a 27-acre museum and historical park devoted to preserving and interpreting the history of ranching and addressing contemporary ranching issues.

The National Golden Spur Award is a joint recognition given by some of the leading state and national organizations in the ranching and livestock industries, including the American Quarter Horse Association, National Cattlemen’s Foundation, Ranching Heritage Association, Texas Cattle Feeders Association, Texas Farm Bureau, and Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association.

Established in 1978, the National Golden Spur Award honorees have represented virtually every aspect of the agribusiness industry and all of the major livestock and ranching areas throughout the United States.

“This award is one of the most prestigious honors a person can receive in our industry,” said Dr. Carl Andersen, executive director of the NRHC. “The award recognizes that devotion to land and livestock has earned a single individual notable respect and admiration from peers within the industry.”

As an owner and partner of True companies, a family business based in Casper, Dave True has spent a lifetime following the dream of his parents to build a business within the ranching and energy industries.

True Ranches grew into a multi-segmented beef operation that now spans the eastern third of Wyoming with seven commercial cow/calf operations, two feedlots and several farms. The family cattle operation takes a conception-to-slaughter floor approach to beef production with an emphasis on quality genetics that continue improvement of the foundation cattle herd and ultimately the final beef product.

“Dave’s humbleness, thoughtfulness and attention to detail, but most importantly his rancher’s common sense, make him a respected leader in the cattle business,” said Philip Ellis, president of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and a rancher in Chugwater, Wyo.

True was selected by his peers to be NCBA treasurer from 2011 to 2014. Those who worked alongside the financially skilled rancher say his contributions as treasurer were paramount to the success of the organization.

“His financial knowledge and communication skills are second to none,” Ellis said. “But Dave also brings a strong, steady sense to any team. Every time and everywhere I’ve served with Dave, I knew our cause would be better because of his service.”

In addition to serving as vice-chairman of the National Cattlemen’s Foundation since 2008, True has an extensive list of leadership roles, including serving on the University of Wyoming Board of Trustees since 2013, president of CattleFax in 2004, Wyoming Stock Growers Association Board of Directors since 1988, Casper Rotary Foundation Board of Directors since 2002, and International Association of Drilling Contractors Board of Directors since 1981.

True graduated cum laude in 1973 from the University of Wyoming with a B.S. in Business Administration. True and his wife, Melanie, have four children and seven grandchildren.