Nine former students were inducted into the Tyrus R. Timm Honor Registry in the Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Department of Agricultural Economics during 2025.

The registry is the department’s highest recognition, with fewer than 1% of its 16,000-plus former students selected.

The inductions began at the Entrepreneurial Dreams Symposium in April, when the department honored David Alders ’85, Hugo Flores ’87, and Charles Laningham ’60 with their induction. Other inductees for 2025 include Jeff Steen ’80, Meredith Keeling Neely ’02, Mike Diezi ’96, Trent Bishop ’94, Trent Ashby ’95 and Cecilee Herd ’95.

The registry, established in 1997, is named in honor of Tyrus R. Timm, Ph.D., who served as the department head for 20 years, from 1953 to 1973. The honor recognizes former students who have achieved exceptional distinction in their careers and reflect the highest standards of integrity and service.

Each inductee exemplifies Timm’s legacy of excellence in teaching, research and service.

“Each of these honorees embodies the enduring ethos of the department and Texas A&M –hard work, humility and giving back,” said Ed Rister, Ph.D., professor and holder of the Dianne and M. Edward Rister ’74 Endowed Chair in Agribusiness Entrepreneurship and director of the Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Program. “They represent not only excellence in their fields but a deep and consistent commitment to the values that shaped them at Texas A&M.”

David Alders

Alders has devoted his life to advancing agriculture, public service and education in East Texas and beyond. A Nacogdoches native, Alders was deeply involved in the National FFA Organization as a student, rising to national leadership before attending Texas A&M, where he served as student body president and graduated with honors in agricultural economics.

After a successful start in commercial real estate, Alders returned home to manage his family’s cattle and timber operations and later founded Carrizo Creek Corporation, a poultry production company. He is also the managing partner of Buck Bay Timber and manager of Caddo Farms and Alders Enterprises.

His leadership has extended across the agricultural sector and public policy, including president of the Texas Forestry Association and serving a major role in regional economic development, banking and education.

Hugo Flores

Flores, a Laredo-based entrepreneur and philanthropist, is the founder and driving force behind Lobo Foods, a rebranded expansion of his family’s business, Flores Castaño Imports.

During his professional career, Flores has pursued ventures spanning wholesale food distribution, including starting his own business, Flores Castaño Imports II; commercial real estate; and rural land development.

Beyond business, Flores has championed charitable causes in South Texas for more than 30 years. From founding the Community Partners Board and Laredo Rainbow Room to leading the South Texas Food Bank and supporting the Texas 4-H Youth Program and FFA programs, Flores has improved countless lives.

He and his wife, Bibi, established an endowment at Texas A&M to support student scholarships, and he remains deeply involved with the Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Program, where he mentors students who follow in his footsteps.

Charles Laningham

Laningham grew up on a small farm on the north side of Houston, actively participating in 4-H and FFA. After graduating with a bachelor’s in agricultural economics in 1960, he served in the U.S. Army and National Guard.

Beginning in Dallas in the late 1960s, he began building a thriving real estate portfolio. He co-founded companies that have developed and managed a range of income-producing properties, including student housing complexes that continue to serve Texas A&M and other universities.

Laningham founded Charlan Enterprises Inc. and played a central role in organizing Pavillion Bank in Dallas. As an active mentor, he has guided students in the agricultural economics program, is helping to revamp the real estate curriculum, and shares his extensive industry experience.

Although recently retired, Laningham’s legacy endures through his family-run enterprise and his ongoing support for Aggie students.

Jeff Steen

Steen has built a career defined by entrepreneurial leadership, public service and sustained engagement with the university. A Cuero native, he earned his agricultural economics degree from Texas A&M in 1980, where he was active in student leadership and fraternity life.

Steen spent more than three decades in executive leadership roles with publicly traded energy service companies, including Schlumberger, Oil States International, Grant Prideco and Camco International.

He now leads Steen Interests, a family enterprise encompassing real estate, ranching, and oil and gas assets in Texas and New Mexico. Steen has also pursued entrepreneurial ventures in film, theater and digital media, producing feature films, documentaries, and an award-winning international podcast.

A dedicated Aggie leader, Steen currently serves as chair of The Association of Former Students board of directors and remains committed to philanthropy, education and service.

Meredith Keeling Neely

Neely has combined entrepreneurial initiative with professional excellence and long-standing service to Texas A&M. Raised between Franklin and a family ranch near Marble Falls, she developed an early appreciation for agriculture and land stewardship.

After earning her agribusiness degree from Texas A&M in 2002, Neely became a general certified appraiser and founded REAPP LLC. She later expanded her work through DK Land Company and, in 2017, joined Icon Global, where she represents buyers and sellers in major agricultural and ranchland transactions across Texas and New Mexico.

Neely has remained deeply engaged with the College, serving on the College of Agriculture Development Council, COADC, for many years, including as chair from 2022–2024. She also established the COADC Hope Endowed Scholarship and continues to mentor students and young professionals.

Mike Diezi

Diezi has built an entrepreneurial career rooted in agriculture, industry leadership and service. Raised on his family’s farm in Brookshire, Diezi gained early experience across the agricultural value chain through cattle production, meat processing and leadership roles in 4-H and FFA.

A 1996 graduate of Texas A&M with a degree in agricultural economics, Diezi began his career in poultry processing before moving into finance, data analytics and beverage distribution.

His leadership roles include Republic National Distributing Company, Pabst Brewing Company and Gambrinus. Since 2015, he has served in an executive role at Spec’s Family Corporation, overseeing merchandising, procurement and inventory management across more than 200 locations. He joined the Spec’s Board of Directors in 2024.

Diezi remains active in community service and supports Texas A&M through mentorship, teaching and advisory roles.

Trent Bishop

Bishop has built a nationally recognized entrepreneurial career in the produce and citrus industries while maintaining strong ties to Texas A&M. Raised in McAllen, he developed an early interest in agriculture through South Texas’ produce industry.

After earning his agricultural economics degree from Texas A&M in 1994, Bishop entered the produce business and later co-founded Lonestar Citrus in 2006. He guided the company’s growth for more than a decade before its sale in 2019. Bishop later held senior leadership roles with Sun Pacific and Sunkist Growers, overseeing global sourcing, pricing and sales operations with major national retailers.

Currently president of Zano Fresh LLC, Bishop remains active in industry leadership and continues to serve Texas A&M through advisory roles, including in the Weston Agrifood Sales Program.

Trent Ashby

Ashby’s career is rooted in agriculture, public service and leadership, reflecting the values that shaped him at Texas A&M. Raised on a dairy and livestock operation in Rusk County, Ashby developed a strong work ethic through agriculture, 4-H and FFA, where he served in state-level leadership roles.

A 1995 graduate of Texas A&M with a degree in agricultural economics, Ashby was deeply involved in student leadership. He remains actively engaged with the university through The Association of Former Students, the Texas A&M Letterman’s Association and agricultural youth programs. After graduation, Ashby held leadership roles in business and economic development before being elected to the Texas House of Representatives in 2013. He currently serves as chair of the Select Committee on Academic and Career-Oriented Education and continues to advocate for agriculture, education and rural communities across East Texas.

Cecilee Herd

Herd’s career is centered on service, leadership and strengthening lifelong connections to Texas A&M. A third-generation Aggie raised in Center Point, she developed an early commitment to agriculture through 4-H before earning her agricultural economics degree in 1995.

Herd began her career with the International Food and Agribusiness Management Association and then joined The Association of Former Students at Texas A&M in 2000. She has guided the growth of the organization’s events, programs and engagement efforts for the past two decades, including. helping expand signature traditions such as Aggie Ring Day and Distinguished Alumni recognition.

Now serving as senior vice president, Herd oversees major engagement, campus and former student initiatives and programming worldwide. Her leadership reflects a deep commitment to service, volunteerism and the values that define Texas A&M.

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