Four inducted into Tyrus R. Timm Honor Registry at Texas A&M

 

Writer: Blair Fannin, 979-845-2259, b-fannin@tamu.edu

Contact: Dr. Ed Rister, 979-845-3801, e-rister@tamu.edu

COLLEGE STATION – Four business professionals were recently inducted into the Tyrus R. Timm Honor Registry in the department of agricultural economics at Texas A&M University during a reception and dinner at the Thomas G. Hildebrand, DVM ’56 Equine Complex.

Dr. Ed Rister, associate department head for agricultural economics and Texas A&M AgriLife Research economist, served as master of ceremonies. The reception and dinner were also part of the 2015 Corrigan-Goddard Foundation Entrepreneurial Dreams Symposium, featuring former agricultural economics graduates James Decker (’06) and Heather Salopek (’11).

New Timm Honor Registry inductees were Steve Cooper (’78), Ken Leiber (’81), Ray Smaistrala (’85), and Troy Thompson (’89). The Registry recognizes outstanding former students for meritorious accomplishments in their fields. It is the highest department-level honor and is named after Tyrus R. Timm, who led the university’s agricultural economics department from 1953 until 1973 during its rise to national prominence in teaching, research and Extension. Timm was known for his knowledge of finance and agricultural banking.

“We are extremely pleased to recognize this distinguished group of former students in the Tyrus R. Timm Honor Registry,” said Dr. Parr Rosson, head of the department of agricultural economics at Texas A&M, who presented plaques to each recipient. “These individuals have not only excelled professionally but have exhibited leadership in both business and local communities. They exemplify what this registry is all about and reflect the core values of Texas A&M: excellence, integrity, leadership, loyalty, respect and selfless service.”

 

Cooper is a member of the Texas A&M College of Agricultural Development Council and a 2015 Distinguished Alumnus Award winner by the Association of Former Students. He has created and led several businesses, including co-founding Mehrens-Cooper Farms and later establishing 3M Grass Farms. In 1985, Cooper bought out Mehrens, establishing Cooper Farms, which he continued to operate until 1990. Since that time, he has been active in El Campo with several community projects and serving on several community boards.

Leiber is president and CEO and member of the Texas Livestock Marketing Association and National Finance Credit Corporation of Texas in Fort Worth. He has had a distinguished, actively-involved career in agricultural finance and livestock marketing for more than three decades, holding statewide roles as Chairman of the Texas Beef Council and serving on the executive committee of the Board of Directors of the Federation Division of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association.

Smaistrala is a commercial loan executive for Amegy Bank in Houston, managing a portfolio of $1 billion in loans and $1.3 billion in deposits. He serves on multiple committees with Amegy Bank and the Greater Houston Partnership, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo International Committee, and the Timbergrove Sports Association.

Thompson is business planning and analytics manager with the procurement and supply chain management team at Chevron Corporation in Houston. He manages more than 100 employees, including new college hires. Thompson is responsible for business planning, analytical services and market intelligence. His other service involvements include serving as deacon at the Church of Christ in Champions, and assistant scoutmaster of Pack 1324 and Troop 1323 in the Boy Scouts of America. In 2014, he was elected to the Sam Houston State University Alumni Association Board of Directors. At Texas A&M, he is a member of the Association of Former Students.

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