about dad is that people gave him a lot of grief over what I showed. Due to his exceptional eye for cattle, many times he found a bargain, but knew the potential for greatness was there. My first Denver Champion was a $1,200 purchase,” Holli states. Holli’s involvement with the AJSA continued as she got older serving on the AJSA Junior Board of Trustees. During the summer of 2008, Holli interned for the American Hereford Association (AHA) in the Junior Activities Department. Currently, Holli serves on the American Simmental-Simbrah Foundation Board. “I have been so blessed to grow up showing through the AJSA program. Some of my very best friends I have met through this program, and it has brought me some great opportunities. At this point in my life, it is all about giving back to the great organization that gave me so much, and raising my children in it.” In 2010, Holli married Drew Hatmaker of Tennessee. Drew quickly fit in and took an active role in the family business DP Sales Management. “Growing up, I knew of Doug. Sometimes its surreal to be able to work with someone who is so well known and respected, but I am blessed that Holli and I get to work with our family and learn from him,” Drew says. The have two children Knox (6) and Breck (3). The boys understand the family business, and at a young age were traveling to cattle sales and AJSA events. Both boys logged over 20 states before their first birthdays. Breck Hatmaker, the cow enthusiast was actually born on sale day of the NAILE Select Sale in 2016. Drew and Holli own their own herd of Simmental cattle which base can be traced back to females Holli showed
through the AJSA program. They also operate Hatmaker Homestead, producing locally raised vegetables and poultry that are marketed at their local Farmer’s Market. Today, DP Sales Management is a true family business. Drew and Holli have an active role in the business along with Doug and Debbie. DP Sales Management manages over 30 sales each year, and working with their clients to market their cattle not just on sale day but throughout the entire year. Our philosophy is that no matter how big or small the operation, there are marketing opportunities for everyone no matter what the price range. We take great pride in consignment sales; which allow some of the newest and smallest breeders to showcase their Simmental genetics. In 2014, seeing the rise of online sales they launched DP Online Sales, and host around 30 sales on their platform each year. While assisting their clients and customers market their Simmental cattle through sales is the upmost importance; supporting and championing the Simmental breed is a part of their everyday life. Due to Doug’s involvement in the breed for over 40 years, his knowledge of pedigrees, phenotype, and breeders is unmatched. He strongly believes that every breeder, no matter how big or small, matters in the very existence of the breed. Visit their home and you will get an education on the progression of the Simmental breed, just from the walls of their office. Totes of old Simmental magazines, “The Shield” can be found along with photos of notable bulls and females over the year along with reproductive parts of CNS Dream On, one of the most notable and breed changing
bulls. The entire family is especially
supportive of the next generation of the breeders, serving as judges for AJSA Regional and National Classic contests and supporting scholarship opportunities like the Peter Courtney Memorial Scholarship. In 2019, the family was instrumental along with the Simmental Breeders Sweepstakes in organizing and hosting the AJSA National Classic in Louisville, Kentucky. Both Doug and Holli were members of the Simmental Breeders Sweepstakes Board who hosted the event, and Drew and Holli were coordinators of the show. “Growing up in the AJSA program, I really felt like my AJSA career had come full circle assisting with the coordination of the 2019 Classic. Attending so many of the junior nationals over the years and interning with the Junior Hereford Association, I always kind of dreamed what I would want it to look like, and to have that opportunity was really special. I told Drew he might as well be the co-coordinator with me since he was going to have to listen to me all the time anyways!” Holli commented. She continued on to say, “The AJSA National Classic is such a special event for so many families and so important for our breed. So many families are buying Simmentals right now, and it was important for me to show them what the AJSA can do for their children just like it did for me.” Doug Parke closes, “Our family loves being a part of the Simmental breed. I’m so proud that we all work together on a daily basis in our business, and it’s a privilege to serve our customers, breeders, and the future of the breed.” •
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