About the Speaker
DR. LOWELL CATLETT, retired as Regents Professor in Agricultural Economics and Agricultural Business and Extension Economics and the Dean and Chief Administrative Officer of the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences at New Mexico State University in July 2015. He is an exciting futurist whose knowledge of technologies and their implications on the way we will live and work is addressed in his varied and upbeat presentations. His vast knowledge astounds corporate and association audiences both nationally and internationally. His presentations are thought-provoking and highly-entertaining.
Dr. Catlett received the New Mexico Distinguished Public Service Award in 2013 from the Governor of the state because of his dedication to public service and to the betterment of life in New Mexico.
Dr. Catlett earned his bachelor’s degree in agricultural business and economics from West Texas State University, his master’s in agricultural economics at NMSU and his doctorate in economics at Iowa State University. Dr. Catlett has twice received the “Don C. Roush Award for Excellence in Teaching.” He is also a recipient of the prestigious “Burlington Foundation Faculty Achievement Award for Outstanding University Teaching.” In 1994 he was one of two western regional recipients of the National Association of State Universities and Land Grant Colleges “Excellence in College and University Teaching in the Food and Agricultural Sciences Award.” Dr. Catlett received the “Carl F. Hertz Distinguished Service in Agricultural Award” in 2007 from the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers. He was awarded the “2007 Distinguished Alumni Award” from West Texas State University. In 2010 Dr. Catlett received the “Henry A. Wallace Award” which was established in 1978 to honor an Iowa State University alumnus who has made an outstanding contribution to national or international agriculture in writing, teaching, research and leadership.
In addition to his selection in 2002 as a member of the original class of six New Mexico State University Regents Professors, Dr. Catlett has received every teaching award the university offers, including the “Westhafer Award for Teaching” in 1990.
He is a consultant to the U.S. Departments of Agriculture, Interior, Defense and Labor, and the World Bank. He is on the Board of Trustees of the International Food Information Council. He has also been a consultant to many Fortune 500 companies.