2004 Meritorious Service Award

2004-WitherspoonMark Witherspoon

“Mark has truly influenced the Missouri dairy industry.”

“Mark’s contribution to the dairy industry and dairy farmers in Missouri are many and well recognized by those of us who work with him.”

These statements were made by two nominators of Mark Witherspoon for the Dairy Hall of Honors Meritorious Service Award.

They were Barry Steevens, state extension dairy specialist at the University of Missouri, and John S. Clay, director of the Dairy Records Management Systems, Raleigh, NC.

Other comments by Steevens are as follows. He was born and raised on a Guernsey dairy farm near Springfield where he began his career in dairying. From southwest Missouri he furthered his career by managing several well-known dairies in Ohio, New Jersey, and Maryland.

However, the desire to return to Missouri was strong and he returned to Springfield as manager of Missouri Dairy Herd Improvement in 1990.

Mark is a take charge type of person and definitely found plenty of opportunity to help Missouri DHI become recognized and financially sound.

His unique skills allowed him to quickly figure out how to keep the instruments in the milk testing lab running smoothly and his business skills kept the financial end in order.

Mark was described by one of his board of directors as “technology gifted.” He understands how an electronic laboratory analyzer works and is a master of computer technology as it applies to dairy records.

In 1997 Missouri and Kentucky DHI Associations merged to form Mid-South Dairy Records and Mark was named general manager. Mark’s leadership skills were helpful in facilitating a seamless merger and establishing an accurate and timely record program for both states.

Mark is highly respected nationally and his opinion on policy and management is sought by others. In 2001 he was recognized with the National DHI Manager of the Year Award. In addition he serves on the National DHI Audit Review Committee which is responsible for the National DHI Quality Certification Program.

Mark Witherspoon is most deserving of being recognized with the Meritorious Service Award by the Missouri Dairy Hall of Honors.

John Clay had these comments to support Mark’s nomination for the Dairy Hall of Honors Award.

“I first met Mark in 1990 while I was directing software development at Dairy Records Management Systems-DRMS.”

His first statements to me were “our farmers need their DHIA information delivered faster than our current provider can do it and we need access to better on farm dairy management systems.”

“I soon became familiar with Mark and his management style during the decision to change service providers.” He recognized that such a change could be disruptive to herd management so he gave farmers across the state a chance to talk to DRMS representatives about our services.

He arranged 10 meetings in different locations and at different times of day so that all producers had several opportunities to meet and discuss this important change. During these meetings it was evident that Mark had the confidence of Missouri producers. As a result Mark switched the DHIA record processing he had been using to DRMS in 1991.

During the years I have become even more impressed by Mark’s leadership style. He insists that changes occur either because a Missouri dairy farmer needs some special help or because many farmers could benefit regardless of their location.

Mark is a major contributor on the DRMS advisory board and is a leader on the DRMS software development steering committee.

It is hard to image that anyone could be more deserving of the Meritorious Service Award than Mark Witherspoon.

Mark attended Southwest Missouri State University on an academic and basketball scholarship but left after two years to pursue ownership and management of his own dairy farm and dairy herd.

Mark married Shannan Lister on Sept 22, 1975 and they have three children. Mandy, the oldest, served in the U.S. Army and Army Reserve for eight years and now lives in Springfield; Jennifer graduated from MU in 2003 and lives in Columbia; and Craig is a sophomore studying computers and business at SMSU.

Mark served on the Fair Grove School Board of Education for six years.