Beef Northwest is encompassed by many long-lasting, enthusiastic employees, and Michele Daniels, the company Controller, is the epitome of hard work and dedication. Having worked for BNW for nearly twenty years, Michele exemplifies the ideal manager, as her personal philosophy is to live by the Golden Rule: treat others how you wish to be treated. Many of us who have the pleasure of working with Michele, know that she truly abides by this statute.
In the fall of 1997, Michele started her journey with BNW at the Boardman, OR feed yard. “I worked part time at the yard, under the previous owner, as a pen rider. When Beef Northwest acquired the yard, I applied to work as a pen rider, and was hired. Before starting work, I learned there was an opening for an Office Manager position, so I applied for and filled that position. I eventually moved into my current role as Controller.”
Throughout her 19 years with the company, she attributes her continued enjoyment to the people and culture. “I enjoy the diversity of the different types of people with whom I am able to interact, their wide range of talents and skills, and the agricultural based work ethic. Everyone works hard and takes pride in their jobs, which shows in the quality of our products. We have good people, a good atmosphere, and also have some fun.”
Outside of work, Michele is an avid horseman. Her passion for horses started at a young age while participating in horse 4-H, horse shows, Junior, High School and College rodeo. “My family also had a cattle operation, so we all did some of the ranch work on horse back at various sales yards, feedlots and pastures. My horse craziness has carried over into adulthood, and I have participated in multiple competitive events over the years. I enjoy cattle events, such as ranch sorting and team penning in recent years. I have also shown horses off and on.” Although modest in her successes, Michele has been very competitive in the horse showing realm. “In the fall of 2013 I was fortunate enough to purchase a very nice American Quarter Horse mare and began showing at Quarter Horse shows. I showed my mare in Western Pleasure events and had a very successful 2014 show year. We qualified for the Novice Amateur Championships in Las Vegas and won third in the Rookie Western Pleasure. We also were the Idaho Quarter Association 2014 High Point Novice Amateur Western Pleasure horse, and the Mountain States Quarter Horse Association 2014 Reserve High Point Novice Amateur and Rookie Western Pleasure horse”.
Her success and hard work in the horse ring, parallels her success as an employee. “I am committed to supporting our operations team and ensuring the administrative team provides operations the information needed to make sound decisions. As an employee I know it is necessary to continually keep learning and growing. This is true for all of us, newly hired or old hands. I also think applying a bit of a competitive spirit can be helpful at work as well as in the show pen.”
Michele and her husband Jim have three children: Caitlin, 34, Molly, 29, and Patrick 25. They also are blessed with two grandchildren: Kale, age 7, and Olivia, age 4.