KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A rare and prestigious award was announced during the American Hereford Association (AHA) Annual Meeting and Educational Forum. Rick and Bonnie Coley-Malir, Dublin, Ohio, were recognized with the National Junior Hereford Association (NJHA) Honorary Junior Member of the Year Award at the NJHA and Hereford Youth Foundation of America (HYFA) Awards Luncheon on Oct. 21. This award is given to someone whose involvement and generosity creates lasting impact for the next generation of the breed and for NJHA and HYFA. Rick and Bonnie were the founders of the Coley-Malir Leadership Endowment that supports the Faces of Leadership conference hosted each year by the NJHA and develops junior members into future leaders of the breed and the beef industry.

“I can’t think of a couple more deserving,” said Amy Cowan, director of youth activities and foundation for the AHA. “I can’t thank Rick and Bonnie enough for all they mean to leadership development and continuing to support the Coley-Malir Leadership Endowment that funds Faces of Leadership and provides so many opportunities for Hereford youth.”

The couple was awarded with an honorary membership and a bronze bull. The 2023 Faces of Leadership conference will be hosted in their hometown of Columbus, Ohio. Be on the lookout for more information to come.

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The National Junior Hereford Association (NJHA) is one of the largest, strongest and most active junior cattle programs in the country. Over the years, members of this association have gone on to earn international and domestic respect as models for youth organizational success. The NJHA, through its extensive educational programs, continues to lay the foundation for the beef industry’s future leaders. The traditions of the past coupled with the energy of today’s board of directors have created a progressive approach to further develop a meaningful and educational association focus.