The Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion & Research Board (CBB) has named Gregory Hanes of Colorado as its new chief executive officer, effective June 17, 2019.

“Knowledge of beef producers and the overall beef industry is a must in this role,” noted Chuck Coffey, CBB chairman from Davis, Okla. “Greg is well regarded – both here in the U.S. and abroad – for his background and understanding of promoting beef and building industry relationships.”

CBB is the body that oversees the beef checkoff and works very closely with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, state beef councils, contractors, beef industry leaders and cattle producers. As a result, the person who serves as the board’s operational leader needs to function in many different roles and in many environments. According to Coffey, Hanes fits that description very well.

“Greg is extremely talented, with a diversified skill set,” Coffey said. “He already has knowledge of the beef checkoff, and he’s an outstanding public speaker who clearly articulates his message, has a great work ethic and is a team builder at all levels. Most importantly, he is passionate about the beef industry. The Cattlemen’s Beef Board is elated to have him as part of the team.”

Hanes comes to CBB from the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) in Denver, Colo., where he most recently was vice president of international marketing programs and led the marketing team through global strategic planning processes. Hanes also served as USMEF's liaison to the beef industry and worked closed with a variety of national and state beef organizations. From 2006 to 2009, he was director of the USMEF office based in Tokyo, Japan, where he was responsible for all activities occurring in Japan. During his time in that role, Hanes lived in Japan for nearly 11 years. Throughout his time overseas, he was the only foreigner in a Japanese company and he held an additional position with responsibilities across Asia.

Hanes currently serves as chair of the U.S. Agricultural Export Development Council, a group comprised of 80 U.S. commodity trade associations, farmer cooperatives and state regional trade groups from around the country that represents the interests of growers and processors of U.S. agricultural products.

In addition to a master’s degree in international management with an emphasis in marketing from the Thunderbird School of Management at Arizona State University in Phoenix, Ariz., Hanes also holds a bachelor's degree in economics from Colorado College. Hanes was born and raised in Cheyenne, Wyo.