Noble Foundation's Ag Division Appoints Director, Research Manager

ARDMORE, Okla. — The Noble Foundation's Agricultural Division has recently made changes to its management structure, including the appointment of a division director and a research manager.

Since the summer of 1999, the division has been under the direction of a management team called the Ag Management Group (AMG). The most recent five-member AMG, composed of Wadell Altom, Hugh Aljoe, Paul Joerger, Matt Mattox and Fred Schmedt, had managed the division since February 2000.

In November, Wadell Altom was appointed Agricultural Division director. The remaining AMG members will continue to serve as team managers of their respective consulting teams.

"I want to commend the AMG for its efforts and leadership. During its tenure, the group developed and implemented a detailed strategic plan that brought to the Ag Division a structure and process that allowed it to more efficiently and effectively focus its efforts and resources," said Michael A. Cawley, president of the Noble Foundation. "The AMG's leadership has been progressive, forward-thinking, and results oriented."

Altom has been with the Foundation for 38 years. He came to the organization in 1966 after earning a degree from Oklahoma State University in Stillwater and working in private industry and university extension. He later returned to OSU for a master's degree in agronomy. Altom’s consultation work in the Agricultural Division involved soil management and fertilization. He also has conducted several studies on soil nutrient sources, rates and placement.

Dr. Billy Cook was promoted to consulting support research manager (CSRM) after having served as the livestock specialist on Agricultural Division consulting team NF-2 for more than five years. His responsibilities include oversight of all Agricultural Division research and demonstration activities and staff, oversight of all associated farm activities and staff and collaboration between the Agricultural Division, other Foundation divisions, universities and other research institutions. He will also serve as a member of and manager to the Agricultural Division research team.

Cook received his bachelor of science degree from Sul Ross State University in Alpine, Texas, and his M.S. and Ph.D. with a split emphasis between beef cattle production and meat science from Texas A&M University in College Station.

"The people in our Ag Division are not only talented agriculturists, they are also high-quality people. These attributes, coupled with a dedicated leadership team, will further enhance the ability of the Ag Division to carry out its agriculture mission," Cawley said.

###

Photos:

Wadell Altom

Dr. Billy Cook

The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, headquartered in Ardmore, Okla., is a non-profit organization conducting agricultural, forage improvement, and plant biology research; providing grants to numerous non-profit charitable, educational and health organizations; and assisting farmers and ranchers through educational and consultative agricultural programs.

To learn more, visit the Noble Foundation Web site at http://www.noble.org.

More news releases available at www.noble.org/Press_Release