JAMES E. CONNELLEY, Administrator
Livestock Identification & Chief of Agriculture Law Enforcement
Elko County, Nevada  

Currently employed as Administrator of the Nevada Department of Agriculture’s Division of Livestock Identification & Chief of Agriculture Law Enforcement. 

Lives in Elko County, Nevada with Janice, his wife of 39 years.  They have 2 grown children, Clint of Juneau, Alaska; and Clay of Spring Creek, Nevada. 

EDUCATION:

Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, Calif. – 1966 

Post graduate studies, Agriculture Education, University of Nevada/Reno – 1966-7

Nevada Vocational Agriculture Teaching Certificate – 1967 

EMPLOYMENT EXPERIENCE:

2001-present: Division Administrator, Nevada Department of Agriculture 

1970-2001: Ranch Manager for Byington Incorporated, a family corporation operating 3 ranches in 2 states.  Two on private land in California & one in Nevada which was dependant upon public lands grazing permits. 

1966-1970: Elko County School District, Vocational Agriculture Teacher and FFA advisor, Owyhee, Nevada 

COMMUNITY SERVICE:

1983-1995: Elected three times to the Board of Trustees of the Elko County School District.  Served one term as President. 

1988-2000: Was appointed by the Governor of Nevada to represent the livestock industry on the Nevada State Board of Agriculture serving as Vice Chairman for 6 years and Chairman for 4 years. 

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS:

Nevada Cattlemen’s Association-member, served as chairman of various committees and elected as officer in 1985, and served as President 1989-1992. 

National Cattlemen’s Association: member, served as Vice Chairman of Public Lands and Agriculture Policy committees.  Served as Chairman of Public Lands Committee, preparing and testifying before both houses of Congress several times.  Elected as Regional Vice President for far west Region VI.   

SPECIAL RECOGNITION:

2003 Nevada State Board of Agriculture, Special Award for contributions to the Agriculture and Livestock Industry.

1993    College of Agriculture, “Distinguished Alumni of the Year.”  California State Polytechnic University.

1992    Nevada Cattlemen’s Association, “Above and Beyond” award.

      1991  Nevada Cattlemen’s Association, “Cattleman of the Year” award.