Jay Truitt is the pick to head the National Cattlemen's Beef Association's Washington, D.C., office as vice president of government affairs.

Truitt has served as NCBA's executive director of legislative affairs since March 2001, and replaces Chandler Keys who resigned effective Dec. 31, 2004. During his tenure at NCBA, Truitt served as top lobbyist and managed NCBA's policy directives on issues such as tax reform, ag policy and animal ID. He grew up on a Missouri cow-calf operation and is a graduate of the U.S. Air Force and University of Maryland with degrees in business and public relations.

In addition, Bryan Dierlam, who has served as NCBA director of legislative affairs since March 1999, assumes Truitt's former position. Dierlam earned a BS degree in animal science and an MBA in finance from Texas A&M University.