MADISON, Wis. — Mark and Kirbie Sims, Elgin, Okla., received the Bob Norton Excellence Award at the 2026 VitaFerm^® Junior National Hereford Expo (JNHE), “The Hereford Masters in Madison” in Madison, Wis., July 10. 

Bob Norton, CEO of BioZyme Inc., and Hereford Youth Foundation of America (HYFA) board member, passed away unexpectedly in 2022. The Bob Norton Excellence Award honors a former National Junior Hereford Association (NJHA) member who demonstrates Bob’s  work ethic, zest for life and dedication to youth programs. 

Bob was the ultimate team leader and innovation champion, and his legacy and philosophy is a guidepost for BioZyme Inc., St. Joseph, Mo. He was also passionate about aviation, active in the Veterans Airlift Command and dedicated to the future of agriculture. In addition to serving on the HYFA Board of Directors, he was an inductee in the Honorary Angus Foundation and previously served on the Certified Angus Beef^® board of directors. Moreover, he was a promoter of the NJHA and an inspiration to all who knew him. 

Mark and Kirbie married in 2016. The couple has two young sons, Rhett and Merrit. Mark was born and raised on a ranch in Elgin and received his bachelor’s degree in animal science from Oklahoma State University. In 2019, he started Sims Plus, LLC, a full-service sale management and auction company. Kirbie grew up in the Hereford industry at her family’s KLD Herefords in Waxahachie, Texas. She was the National Polled Hereford Queen in 2009. After earning a bachelor’s degree in animal science from Texas A&M University, she obtained a nursing degree from Texas Woman’s University and her master’s degree at Georgetown University. 

“This couple is truly the definition of young leaders and excellence developed and built through the Hereford breed, ensuring the legacy of Bob Norton stands strong,” says Amy Cowan, American Hereford Association director of youth activities and foundation. 

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The National Junior Hereford Association (NJHA) is one of the most active junior livestock programs in the country with more than 4,200 members. The NJHA’s mission is to create and promote enthusiasm for the Hereford breed, while providing opportunities through leadership, education and teamwork and emphasizing the mantra — “Learn. Lead. Achieve.” For more information about the NJHA, visit Hereford.org/youth.

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