While other cowboys slept soundly under the stars, one soul stood guard over the herd, the cavvy, the cowboys and their gear.  He was known as the Night Hawk.  He spent his nights riding a big circle around the herd and the camp, ever watchful, standing guard.    The Night Hawk was celebrated by frontier photographer L. A. Huffman in his famous photograph titled  “Night Hawk in His Nest.” 

Chuck Kiker serves as USCA director from Region V and he chairs USCA’s Animal Health Committee.  A Texan bred and born, Kiker is a cow/calf operator and raises rice near Beaumont, Texas. 

He and his wife, Kim, have two children: Chase, 16 years old and Kristine, 18 years old.  His alma maters are Texas A & M University and Lamar University - Beaumont.

His history with cattle industry politics is long and deep.  He’s a past president of the Independent Cattlemen’s Association (ICA); he’s currently serving on the Cattlemen’s Beef Board (CBB) which administers the national mandatory beef checkoff; and he was one of a chosen few who testified on behalf of the live cattle industry during the historic Canadian and Mexican trade cases.   He also served on the Department of Agriculture Beef and Dairy Advisory Committee under Susan Combs.   He’s been around the block a time or two.           

Direct?  You bet.  Blunt?  Sometimes.  If you can’t stand the heat then get outta the kitchen because this man will hold you accountable and he’ll debate the issues like the issue-experienced pro he is. 

Kiker’s access in Washington, DC is second to none when it comes to cattle industry issues and he’s putting that into play for cattle producers under the USCA umbrella.

“Now more than ever, cattle producers have the opportunity to move their agenda forward with policy-makers,” says Kiker.  “The stars have lined up - we have a friendly Congress in place.  Never before have we had a better chance to have mandatory labeling implemented, competition reform and beef checkoff reform adopted.   This is a defining moment for the U.S. cattle industry.”