With a dedication to develop real-world decision-making skills in our students that exemplifies excellence in ranch management, we are always looking to engage the very best minds on our faculty team. The foundation of our educational model includes practical experience, from boots on the ground ranch management, combined with an advanced set of business management skills. We know success in the decades ahead will require this complete skillset as the complexity of ranching continues to increase. In order to develop graduate students with such skills, our faculty and external teaching partners must possess the same expertise and experience. To that end, it is with great excitement that we announce the recent expansion of our faculty to include David S. DeLaney in the new role of Practitioner in Ranch Management. Dave is arguably the most experienced manager of complex ranching operations in all of North America – an addition to our team that only makes sense.
In 2021, Dave DeLaney retired as Vice-President and General Manager of Ranching and Wildlife at King Ranch, Inc. There is no single job in ranching that is more complex or historically recognized. Dave DeLaney has had an amazing and impactful career that young and ambitious ranch managers dream about. His career has also equipped him with unique insights, experiences, and unending passion for our industry and heritage. At the same time, Dave has been one of the most influential direct supporters of KRIRM and has served on the KRIRM Management Council as a charter member since 2003. His council service has been stellar; however, it is the direct teaching and mentoring of graduate students that has helped shape excellent decision-makers and leaders. Over the years, Dave DeLaney has had a hand in mentoring 50 KRIRM graduate students, and continues to serve many as a mentor post-graduation as they work through the challenges of leadership and decision-making as managers in the ranching industry. DeLaney has developed 32 case study projects over 19 years involving King Ranch cattle, wildlife, natural resources, business contracts, and employee management systems. These case studies provide the context that glues together the graduate training concepts introduced in the KRIRM graduate curriculum.
In addition to Dave’s experience at King Ranch, he worked at the third largest cattle feeding entity in the United States, Friona Industries, L.P. from 1992-2003, serving as General Manager between 1996 and 2003. Prior to that role, he was the Operations and Procurement Manager of Corsino Cattle Company of Amarillo, Texas. Dave DeLaney earned a B.S in Biology from the University of Richmond and a M.S. in Animal Nutrition from Texas A&M University. In 2021, Dave was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from Texas A&M University-Kingsville. DeLaney has served on the Board of Directors for the Texas Cattle Feeders Association (TCFA), the National Cattleman’s Beef Association, and the Texas Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA). Beyond that, he has served on the Executive Committee of Texas Wildlife Association, TSCRA, and TCFA. Dave DeLaney is among the most recognized international experts in ranching.
Our team is proud to welcome Dave DeLaney. In our mission to sustain our ranching heritage, we know that DeLaney’s experience and passion will positively impact all aspects of our teaching, innovation, and outreach.