Dr. Andy D. Herring is John K. Riggs ’41 Beef Cattle Professor in the Department of Animal Science at Texas A&M University and currently serves as Associate Head and Extension Leader. He has been a combination teaching, research, and at times Extension animal science faculty member since 1994, and ASAS member since 1989. Dr. Herring teaches classes in beef cattle production and management and conducts applied research regarding ruminant livestock production systems with primary emphasis on genetic influences and interactions affecting beef value chains. His professional passion is to inspire students and producers to become life-long learners and consider whole systems thinking for livestock production. He incorporates classical and current industry issues and research findings into his classes and utilizes a variety of teaching technologies and strategies. He has trained or co-trained 14 Ph.D. and 43 Master students, 80% of whom are directly involved in agricultural industries.