NEWS RELEASE
Texas Animal Health Commission
Box l2966 * Austin, Texas 78711 * (800) 550-8242 * FAX (512) 719-0719
James Lenarduzzi, DVM * Acting Executive Director
For info: Carla Everett, information officer, at 1-800-550-8242, ext. 710,
or ceverett@...

For Immediate Release -- March 4, 2003

Dr. Bob Hillman Tapped to Head Texas' Livestock Health Agency

After three decades of braving Idaho's rugged winters, Dr. Bob Hillman will
be back home April 1 as Texas' new state veterinarian and executive
director for the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC), the state's
regulatory agency responsible for livestock and poultry health. Dr. James
Lenarduzzi, interim TAHC executive director since December 2002, will
return to his duties as director of TAHC's Area 5, which is based in
Beeville and encompasses 40 South Texas counties.

"Dr. Lenarduzzi has performed admirably during the past several months
while we searched for a new state veterinarian," said Mr. Richard Traylor
of Carrizo Springs , chairman of the TAHC's 12-member governor-appointed
commission. "We are very fortunate to have dedicated staff such as Dr.
Lenarduzzi, and we also are happy to have Dr. Hillman joining our team in
Texas."

"Like our other TAHC'ers, Dr. Hillman understands and relates to the
challenges of private veterinary practitioners, producers, associations,
and government agencies," said Mr. Traylor. "He is knowledgeable about
disease issues, and has an admirable track record as a national livestock
leader and motivator.

A native of Cameron, Texas, Dr. Hillman graduated from Texas A&M
University's School of Veterinary Medicine in l971. He worked as a field
veterinarian for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in Wichita Falls
before moving to private practice, first in Vernon, Texas, then as a
practice partner in Burley, Idaho. In l981, Dr. Hillman joined the Idaho
State Department of Agriculture as chief of the Bureau of Animal Health.
Since l990, he has served as the administrator of the Division of Animal
Industries in Idaho.

"Dr. Hillman's wrangled with tough and controversial issues, including
brucellosis infection in bison and elk in the Greater Yellowstone Area,"
commented Mr. Traylor. He explained that, although the animals are under
federal jurisdiction, livestock in Idaho, Montana and Wyoming are at risk
for disease exposure when infected bison or elk wander from park boundaries
and onto ranches. Brucellosis infection in livestock would cause these
states to lose their disease-free status, and the ability to move cattle
without restriction, noted Mr. Traylor. He pointed out that Texas is still
working to achieve cattle brucellosis-free status, and has had two infected
herds during the past 12 months.

In 2001, Dr. Hillman served as president of the U.S. Animal Health
Association (USAHA), the national body of regulatory veterinarians and
allied livestock groups that provides recommendations to the USDA on
livestock disease issues, policies and regulations. Dr. Hillman chaired the
USAHA's committees for cattle tuberculosis and government relations, and
has been an active member on the wildlife disease and brucellosis
committees.

"For the past 15 years, Dr. Hillman has contributed greatly to livestock
disease and related trade issues affecting the border states of Texas, New
Mexico, California and Arizona and our Mexican counterparts. As a review
team member, he has traveled extensively to assess the progress of Mexico's
cattle tuberculosis and brucellosis eradication programs," said Mr.
Traylor. Dr. Hillman also was one of the original eight U.S.
representatives on the Binational Tuberculosis and Brucellosis Committee,
which also has eight Mexican representatives. Based on reports by review
teams, the binational committee negotiates health standards for importing
Mexican cattle to the U.S. border states.

"Although Dr. Hillman has been away from Texas for some time, he has never
been out of touch with issues that affect our state's livestock industry,"
commented Mr. Traylor. "We're fortunate he's ready to return to his home
state."


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