American Boer Goat Association executive director Robert Swize has left ABGA after the remainder of his contract was settled by the ABGA board of directors. As with any organization there were complainers and those who felt that one group or another or one individual or another were favored under Swize and past boards of directors. There were some members who felt that the ABGA was too Texas-centered under Swize and previous leaders, including board members and past executive secretaries.

The association has made great strides under Swize’s leadership. Membership has grown, registration operations have been upgraded and streamlined to some extent. The national show has exploded in size and participation. Of course, some of the growth has been organic due to the expanding popularity of goats as livestock in all parts of the United States and the fact that Boer goats are a logical and good choice for many small acreage farmers and rural residents.

I don’t know exactly what happened that triggered Swize’s exit, whether it was his idea or the board’s. I do know that for some reason there is always a lot of drama, power struggle, conflict and intrigue surrounding goings on in goat circles and goat organizations. Don’t ask me why.

The ABGA National Show begins this week, June 11, and runs through Sunday, June 15, in Tulsa. The ABGA office crew have left for Nationals and I imagine the association’s business meeting there will be interesting.

Here is a portion of the ABGA notice of Swize’s May 20 departure:

The ABGA board of directors and ABGA Executive Director, Mr. Robert Swize, announce a mutual agreement to cease their employment relationship effective May 20, 2008. After several months of discussion and consideration, the ABGA board and Mr. Swize have agreed that it is in the best interest of the association, Mr. Swize, and his family to amend Mr. Swize’s employment contract, causing it to end effective May 20, 2008.

Mr. Swize began his employment as Executive Director with ABGA in 2003. Since that time ABGA has seen unprecedented growth in membership and registrations as well as significant improvement in its financial position. Mr. Swize has brought a sense of professionalism to the ABGA office and has served to help move ABGA and the Boer goat to their current place of prominence on the landscape of American agriculture.

The ABGA Board of Directors wishes to express our appreciation to Mr. Swize for his contributions and time of service given to improve our association and our industry. We also wish to express our appreciation to Mr. Swize’s family for their sacrifice and support of ABGA during the time of Mr. Swize’s employment.

The ABGA Board of Directors would also like to express our confidence in the association, its members, and its staff as we move forward in the work and mission of the ABGA. With this change in the Executive Director position, the board would like to express that ABGA business will continue efficiently, and we will provide you with the quality service you have come to expect. We realize that with a change such as this there will be questions from the membership. The board encourages you to contact the board of directors as we want to be available to answer thosequestions and provide you with the much needed service you deserve.

The ABGA Board of Directors wishes only the best for Mr. Swize and his family. The board further encourages you, ABGA members, to be supportive of Mr. Swize and his family, as they pursue their future endeavors. We trust that, along with the board of directors, the membership will now look to the future of the association and communicate your thoughts for the future directly to your board of directors. The board will be taking a positive approach to our future and trust the membership will do the same. Your positive input and constructive criticism are appreciated and will prove immeasurably beneficial as the ABGA moves into the future.