Cody Burkham

39
District Director
Office of U.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman
Hope

Professional achievements

• As EVP of the Arkansas Cattlemen’s Association, successfully coordinated strategy between stakeholder organizations and state legislators to codify a state meat inspection program that benefits Arkansas livestock producers and consumers.
• Created the Arkansas Cattlemen’s Choice Replacement Pen Heifer show to benefit Arkansas livestock youth.
• Established the Arkansas Cattlemen’s graduate course.
• Lead and coordinate all district priorities and constituent services for Congressman Westerman.
• 2020 recipient of Southern Arkansas University’s Distinguished Young Alumni Award.

Community involvement

Member, Unity Baptist Church in Hope; board member, Arkansas Sheriff Youth Ranch; board member, Arkansas FFA Foundation; board member, Arkansas Society of Association Executives and the University of Arkansas Agriculture Development Council; supporter, Hempstead County Fair Youth Premium Sale.

Most fulfilling career moment

“On Oct. 4, 2021, I stood beside Gov. Asa Hutchinson as he announced to Arkansas that the Arkansas state meat inspection program was finalized. I would say that to date, that announcement has been the most fulfilling to me.”

How you define success

“Success can take many shapes. If you have a place to call home, a group of people who love you, enough money to keep your bills paid and a little in savings, I would consider that successful.”

First job and lesson learned

“Growing up in southwest Arkansas, my summers were spent in the hayfield. When I was 13, I worked for a close family friend. There I learned that you literally and figuratively make hay while the sun shines. No matter how hot the day or hard the work, the job had to be finished. This translated to the importance of hard work and sweat equity to achieve success in my professional career.”

Career passion

“I am passionate about pursuing and advancing smart, mindful policy that is common sense-based and can help Arkansans, especially those in rural areas. This type of policy must have longevity, not spur of the moment in thought.”

Top challenge facing Arkansas

“For years, Arkansas has struggled to convince its young people that there are still worthwhile opportunities in its rural areas. As someone who loves the rural parts of our state and its people, it is imperative that we work on incentivizing our young professionals to take their talents to rural Arkansas. While life may not be as exciting in Hope as it is in a more metropolitan area, the impact one can have on their community is magnified. Exploring opportunities to encourage the next generation to return to rural Arkansas must be explored.”

What’s a book everyone should read and why?

“‘Lonesome Dove’ by Larry McMurtry. ‘Lonesome Dove’ is one of the most iconic novels in American history. McMurtry weaves a story of friendship, love and loyalty together with brutality, hardship and loss that can teach anyone about themselves.”

Learning from a mentor

“My most influential mentor is Congressman Bruce Westerman. The mission statement the congressman has always given to his staff is to abide in love, compete to win, and succeed through service. While it’s a simple motto, it is a powerful reminder to love what you do, do it to the very best of your abilities, and that you’re always winning if you’re serving others.”

Most valuable lesson learned

“It’s simple: Show up, be present and be prepared. Throughout my career, regardless of location, title or resources, it’s been clear that the most effective people consistently do these three things. Whether in the halls of Congress or in a cattlemen’s meeting in the River Valley, the people who show up, are fully engaged and prepared are the ones who advance priorities and make decisions.”

Hardest thing you’ve ever done

“When I became EVP of the Arkansas Cattlemen’s Association, it was going through a time of loss and limited resources. It’s a grassroots, member-funded nonprofit, and I stepped in following the loss of a beloved EVP. Facing both emotional and operational challenges, I maximized staff strengths, enforced financial discipline and leaned on volunteer leadership. We launched new programs, strengthened membership and restored stability, leaving the organization stronger, more focused and better positioned for the future.”

Career dream as a child

“When I was in middle school I thought that I wanted to be a stock or commodity trader. Every morning before school I would watch Bloomberg. At the time, I thought that was what I wanted to do.”

Making Arkansas more attractive to young professionals

“Instead of worrying about how to ‘make Arkansas more attractive,’ I think we need to do a better job of highlighting the many positive attributes of the state: lower cost of living, tight-knit communities and opportunities to grow.”

Best thing about Arkansas

“The people have to be first, but the many recreational opportunities certainly make people fall in love with Arkansas.”

Where you see yourself in 10 years

“Only the Lord knows where I will be in 10 years, but I hope that it will be in Hope, Arkansas, growing my wife’s and my cattle operation and raising our kids.”

Advice for your 18-year-old self

“Don’t be afraid. When I was younger, my sister used to say that I could rule the world if Washington, D.C., was situated on our family farm. I think what she meant was that sometimes I was too comfortable and, yes, even afraid to go out and try something new or pursue a passion. I sometimes wish that I learned that fear is growth and that even though a person may fail, failure isn’t the end.”

One word to describe you

“Persistent.”