Texas A&M agricultural economics department inducts new members to honor registry

July 12, 2019 - by Blair Fannin

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

COLLEGE STATION – The Texas A&M University department of agricultural economics recently inducted new members to its Tyrus R. Timm Honor Registry.

New inductees are

Cathy Lemieux ‘85
Jody Hall ‘87
Rob Hall ’89
Fernando Palomo ’96
Nick Bamert ’81
Russell Boening ’81
Jimmie Holder ’53
Gen. Randolph House ’67
John Malazzo ’78

The registry recognizes outstanding former students of the department of agricultural economics for meritorious accomplishments in their fields. It is the highest department-level honor and is named after Tyrus R. Timm, who led the 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 honor these former students who have not only excelled professionally, but who have exhibited leadership and outstanding achievement in both business and local communities,” said Dr. Mark Waller, acting department head for agricultural economics. “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.”

Lemieux, class of 1985, retired from the Chicago Federal Reserve Bank after holding several vice president positions. She was the first female head of the bank supervision and regulation department at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. She was lauded as a key contributor to the bank’s post-2008 crisis success.

Jody Hall, class of 1987, is director of global sourcing for H-E-B Grocery Co. Hall spent much of his career with H-E-B rising through the ranks, starting as a store management trainee before being promoted to store director, regional grocery director, grocery procurement advertising manager, and business development manager of grocery procurement.

Rob Hall, class of 1989, is regional vice president with H-E-B. After graduation from Texas A&M, he began his career in the H-E-B Store Management Program, leading him to become a store manager in Belton. He later became a unit director and regional director of selling merchandising, and then was promoted to his current position as group vice president and general manager of the Gulf Coast Region .

Palomo, class of 1996, is an ESPN announcer. Palomo began his sports broadcasting career in 2000 with ESPN calling Sunday Night Football. Later, he moved to Buenos Aires, Argentina, to anchor the first-ever ESPN SportsCenter for the Latin American market. He covered the 2002 World Cup South American qualifiers and the 2002 Central American Games.

Bamert, class of 1981 and a Muleshoe native, leads Bamert Seed Co., which currently produces more than 75 selections of native grasses and wildflowers. The company provides more than 450 species used in reclamation and revegetation projects in mining, oil and gas, right-of-way projects, and wildlife habitat and biofuel programs across the U.S. and internationally.

Boening, class of 1981 and a Poth native, is president of Texas Farm Bureau and a partner in Boening Brothers Dairy. As president of Texas Farm Bureau, Boening leads the advancement of the organization’s mission to promote and protect the farmers and ranchers of Texas, which has led him across the nation and the world to testify before the Texas Legislature, U.S. Congress, and industry leaders in foreign countries.

Holder, class of 1953, is a retired bank executive having risen through the ranks of First National Bank in Lubbock to become executive vice president. His career led him to College Station where he oversaw startup operations of Commerce National Bank before retiring in 2000.

House, class of 1967, served 44 years with the U.S. Army. House served two tours in Vietnam during his career and was promoted to Brigadier General in 1992. He retired from military service in 2001 and operates a cow-calf operation in Grimes County and is a guest lecturer with Texas A&M University’s Bush School of Government.

Malazzo, class of 1978, farms in the Brazos Bottom. Malazzo Farms consists of irrigated cotton, corn and cattle production covering 7,000 acres in Burleson, Brazos and Milam counties. Malazzo has served in roles for several agricultural associations. Currently, he is on the boards of Capital Farm Credit and Producers Cooperative Association of Bryan.

For more information about the Tyrus R. Timm Honor Registry and its honorees, visit the website at http://tyrustimmregistry.org/.