Caring, determined and dedicated are a few adjectives used to describe Jamie King Wheeler. The Ohio Junior Angus Association (OJAA) adviser was named the 2019 Adviser of the Year at the National Junior Angus Show in Louisville, Ky.
Her “outgoing personality, genuine regard for the well-being of others and passion for the Angus breed is second to none,” says Lindsey Grimes Hall, fellow OJAA adviser.
Described as the definition of a model junior Angus member, she served on the National Junior Angus board of directors from 2002 to 2004. Since then, her passion for the Angus industry has continued to burn brightly.
“Jamie always went above and beyond to make sure every junior member felt special, involved and important,” says Joanie Grimes, owner of Maplecrest Farms, who nominated King Wheeler for the award. “Jamie kept every junior involved to their fullest extent and helped bestow confidence in every member.”
Helps youth achieve potential
As an OJAA adviser, she has played an instrumental role in the success of the growing OJAA membership, the planning of two Eastern regionals and the execution of one National Junior Angus Show. Aside from her involvement in the planning and organizing of shows, King Wheeler is known for her ability to make juniors feel welcome. Her words of encouragement have transformed countless junior members’ dreams into realities.
According to King Wheeler’s nomination application, many Ohio Angus families would agree with Scott and Suzanne Millikan when they said, “Because of her, our juniors will become adults who will achieve great things, and the Angus breed will continue to control the future — all because of junior advisers like Jamie.”
King Wheeler’s work ethic and attitude of service directly correlates to the leadership and involvement of juniors in the OJAA. From her texts of encouragement to offering the first congratulations after a big win, her consistent support is a true mark she has left on all her junior members.
The NJAA Adviser of the Year Award was introduced in 1980 to recognize the tremendous contributions of junior Angus association advisers. Any NJAA advisers are eligible for the award by sending in a letter of nomination.