New Mexico Cattle Growers' Association hands out King Service Award

Feb. 23—Established by New Mexico Cattle Growers' Association in memory of former New Mexico Governor Bruce King and wife Alice; the King Service Award is given to a member who admirably represents our state. Dina Chacon-Reitzel is recognized as the 2020 recipient for continually going above and beyond for New Mexicans as wells as the states agriculture industry.

Raised on a cattle ranch in northern New Mexico, with family roots dating back over 400 years, Dina attended New Mexico State University where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Home Economics in Business and an MBA in Marketing and Management. Dina now resides in Albuquerque with her husband Jim Reitzel; together they have two wonderful children, Elizabeth and Matthew.

Since 1989, Dina has worked with the New Mexico Beef council; in 1991 she then became the councils Executive Director. In her role, Dina is responsible for the creation and implementation of beef research, promotion and consumer information programs. In addition to the collection and compliance of the Beef Checkoff.

An alumna of New Mexico State University, Dina serves as chairwoman on the Board of Regents. She was also awarded the New Mexico Outstanding Leadership Award by the NMSU College of ACES. The highest honor given by the department, recipients are esteemed for conveying significant leadership contribution to agriculture in New Mexico and are upheld to leverage knowledge, talents, partnerships and resources to better serve agriculture.

Dina has held seats on several national beef industry committees; currently serving on the National Cattlemen's Beef Association Beef Safety Research Committee. She was also appointed by the NMSU College of ACES to serve as one of three delegates to the USDA Council for Agricultural Research, Extension and Teaching (CARET) as a 'citizens advocate'. As a delegate, Dina advocates for federal funds in Washington, DC for the college. Since her nomination to CARET, Dina has served on the Executive Committee and became Chairwoman in 2016.

In 2015 Dina was recognized by the NMSU Cooperative Extension Service with the Friend of Extension Award, as well as the Industry Partner Award in 2011 by the New Mexico Department of Agriculture. Further, Dina was selected to participate in Leadership New Mexico, completing the program in 2007; and the recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award from NMSU Agriculture and Home Economics College in 1996.

Heavily involved in various other organizations at the state level, Dina serves the New Mexico 4-H Foundation and is a past board member of the Saint Pius High School Foundation as well as the UNM Children's Hospital Foundation. The Governor of New Mexico credited her as a 'Hero of the Cerro Grande Fire', while the Children's Hospital of New Mexico thanks for her long-time work on behalf of New Mexico's sick children.

"To give real service you must add something which cannot be bought or measured with money, and that is sincerity and integrity." — Douglas Adams

This article originally appeared on Deming Headlight: New Mexico Cattle Growers' Association hands out King Service Award

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