Bill and Sally Bowman traveled separate paths to Angus, but their shared teamwork helped transform genetic tools and producers’ ability to use them. Bill’s grandfather first taught him about livestock, and his small herd started as a junior high FFA project. He graduated with an animal science degree from the University of Missouri and worked in various roles for the American Angus Association^®, including as a regional manager, director of commercial programs, and assistant director of performance programs.  

Sally Northcutt-Bowman, a native of Lexington, Kentucky, earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Kentucky and then completed a doctorate in quantitative genetics at Iowa State University. After time at Oklahoma State University, she landed at the Association, bringing the organization’s genetic evaluation in-house for the first time. 

“We wanted to be more fluid and be efficient and change the environment of the industry,” Bill said.  

During their time at the Association, the duo led the introduction of $Value indexes, genomically-enhanced expected progeny differences (EPDs) and helped create Angus Genetics Inc. (AGI^®) as a standalone subsidiary of the Association. With Sally working on the data to build tools, Bill was “out in the country” helping to inspire adoption as AGI’s first president. 

“I am still immersed in Angus cattle and the Angus breed and will be my whole life,” Sally said. In 2014, Sally founded Method Genetics, and Bill became her first employee. The couple was married in 2017 and continue to advance the Angus breed through data-driven innovation and a strong sense of commitment to the cattlemen they serve.