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Cattle Marketing Hall of Fame
The Cattle Marketing Hall of Fame recognizes individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to competitive marketing and true price discovery. These men and women are the backbone of the cattle industry. Their efforts ensure a competitive marketplace, the foundation of the American Cattle Industry. Without price discovery we become price-takers and lose our way of life.
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Robert "Bob" Rodenberger
Oklahoma City, OK
Robert "Bob" Rodenberger was born January 20th, 1958 to Robert Sr. and Tommie Lou Rodenberger in Paris, Texas. He was raised on a small farm in Antlers, Oklahoma and graduated from Antlers High School in 1976. Bob attended Oklahoma State University and obtained a Bachelors Degree in Agriculture Economics in 1982.
Bob began working for Cooper Livestock at the Oklahoma National Stockyards in 1983, which was the first step in a lasting career in the cattle industry. Not only did Bob begin a cow-calf operation, he also started grazing his own stockers cattle and placing cattle in feed yards. He then became a partner in Cooper the following year and worked with them until 1988, at which time he began buying and selling cattle for Sparks Cattle Company at the Oklahoma National Stockyards where he continued to buy and sell cattle.
In 1991, Bob was presented the opportunity by Tom Gilliam and Bill Griffeth to lease Stockman Oklahoma Commission Company at the Oklahoma Stockyards and Apache Auction Market in Apache, Oklahoma.
While managing and growing both of these organizations, Bob cultivated long lasting relationships not only with his shipping customers, but his order buying customers as well. Major feed yards such as Cactus, Caprock, Friona and JBS have been the recipients of thousands of cattle over the years purchased by Bob.…
Jim Santomaso
Sterling Livestock Commission Co
Jim Santomaso started working for Bud Van Berg at Sterling Livestock Commission Co. in 1971. He taught himself to auctioneer by listening to Bud Van Berg, Damon Koch and Wayne Kruse as well as many others. He was working full time at the auction and would come in at night for extra practice time behind the microphone in the auction ring.
Jim worked outside unloading trailers and sorting cattle and eventually worked his way up to lead auctioneer. Jim also worked the country visiting with customers and learning how to market their cattle in the best way possible.
In 1973 he married Becky Van Berg. In 1974 their daughter Jenny was born. In 1977 their son Jason was born. Both children grew up in the livestock market learning the family business from their dad.
Jim has served on numerous committees for the Livestock Marketing Association. Jim also served as the President of the Livestock Marketing Association form 2007-2008.
Jim served on the Colorado Beef Council for 2 terms and is presently serving on the Colorado Cattlemen's Association Board.
Jim was the livestock manager for the Logan County Fair board from 2011-2016.
Jim is tirelessly looking at market trends and new ideas to continue improving his auctions' ability to market cattle at the highest level.
Jim has recently been named the Elk's Distinguished Citizen of the Year for his…