2024 PPOB Judges

Introducing Nick Fitzsimmons

Nick Fitzsimmons grew up on a Simmental seedstock operation in Western Iowa. Growing up exhibiting cattle across the country and livestock judging sparked a passion that eventually led him to Black Hawk East College and then onto Texas Tech University where he was on highly successful livestock judging teams. After serving as the assistant livestock judging coach at Texas Tech, Nick took a position with Sunglo Feeds. Nick currently serves as a regional show feed specialist in the Oklahoma and Texas markets. Nick, along with his wife Ashley son Lander and daughter Layne own and operate Fitz Genetics, a multi-faceted cattle operation, in Perry, Okla. Their operation strives to raise and sell high quality, functional cattle across multiple breeds. Nick has judged numerous state and national shows across the country.

Austin Nauman

Austin Nauman grew up active in 4H and FFA, exhibiting steers and heifers across the state of Texas. Judging collegiately at Blinn and Texas A&M he was very competitive and extremely successful on the livestock judging team while acquiring an Agri Business degree from Texas A&M. He was an Agriculture Science Teacher in Deer Park and Baytown, TX  for 5 years.

Currently, Austin and his wife Sierra, and their 2 sons Slaton and Stockton reside in Mason, TX where he helps manage Jade Livestock’s Show Cattle and Dorper Sheep operations. Austin has judged in numerous states across the country and enjoys working with youth and being involved in the livestock industry.