Clyde C. Lamond III received the John W. Rucker Standard of Excellence Award in recognition of valuable contributions to the Angus cattle industry at the recent annual meeting of the Northern Virginia Angus Association. Jerry Crenshaw, former recipient of the John W. Rucker Standard of Excellence Award, surprised Clyde when he presented him with this award.

"The Angus Fraternity is a very special makeup of men and women from all walks of life with one common theme that brings them all together—Angus cattle," Rucker explained.

"Tonight it is my honor to present the John Rucker Award. John Rucker truly loved Angus cattle. Ten years ago tonight I was honored with this award, and I have it proudly hanging in my office.

This award was started by the Northern Virginia Angus Association to recognize a farmer or rancher's contributions to Northern Virginia Angus and the Angus breed who had the same ideals and love of Angus cattle that John Rucker possessed.

Lamond said that he was surprised, honored and humbled to be the recipient of the award established in memory of his dear friend, John Rucker. He said that beyond the ribbons, the silver, and the championships, it was the people you met and the friends you made that made this vocation so rewarding. Presently, Clyde is affiliated as a Realtor with Armfield, Miller and Ripley Fine Properties, Land and Estate Agents in Middleburg, Virginia.

Lamond is truly an Angus enthusiast and a leader in the field. He served on the Northern Virginia Angus Board and the Virginia Angus Board. He served as chairman or committee member of the Breed Promotion, Membership, Spotlight, Executive, Personnel, and Finance and on the Virginia State Fair Committee with John Rucker. He was Chairman of the Board and CEO of Farmers & Merchants National Bank of Hamilton and a Vice President of F&M National Bank, Winchester.

He was and still is a strong supporter of the Loudoun 4H. He has helped many 4H members or farmers get started in the Angus cattle business with an Angus project or cowherd. He is a former Trustee of Foxcroft School, the founding president and Trustee of the Loudoun Education Foundation, a founding director of the Atlantic National Angus Cattle Show in Timonium, Maryland. He is also a founding director of Leesburg Today.