The Public Lands Council has a new leader. Nevada rancher Ron Cerri became the organization’s new Public Lands Council president as the group wrapped up its 58th Annual Meeting in Copper Mountain, Colorado, on September 17, 2026. Cerri runs a cow-calf operation in Orovada, Nevada, and brings decades of ranching and public service experience to the role.
The Public Lands Council, known as PLC, represents ranchers who graze livestock on federal lands across the West. Since 1968, the group has worked with Congress and federal land agencies to protect grazing access. Cerri takes over at a moment PLC leaders describe as a turning point for the industry.
Who Is New Public Lands Council President Ron Cerri
Cerri previously served on the PLC Board of Directors. He also led the Nevada Cattlemen’s Association as president and served on the Nevada State Grazing Board Central Committee. Additionally, Cerri spent time as a Humboldt County Commissioner, giving him experience in both ranching and local government.
“My family came to America from Italy in the 1800s to do one thing: ranch,” Cerri said. “After generations of ranching, land management and conservation stewardship, it is an honor to be PLC President.” He added that the industry has moved past a period of significant uncertainty because of the group’s advocacy work.
“We have come such a long way in the last few years, where we faced immense uncertainty in the industry,” Cerri said. “I am looking forward to continuing this work as PLC President and helping to pass down our ranching lifestyle to future generations.”
New Officer Team Takes Shape After Annual Meeting
PLC General Voting Delegates approved the full 2026-2027 officer slate before the meeting closed. Robbie LeValley of Colorado will serve as Vice President. Meanwhile, Dr. Dave Daley of California takes on the role of Secretary.
Outgoing president Tim Canterbury, who led PLC from 2024 to 2026, will stay involved as Immediate Past President. That continuity gives the new team access to recent institutional knowledge as it sets priorities for the coming year.
Why This Leadership Change Matters for Western Ranchers
PLC Executive Director Kaitlynn Glover praised Cerri’s record and said his background will help guide the organization forward. “Ron is a tireless advocate for the ranching industry and dedicates so much of his time to improving policies that impact ranchers on the ground throughout the West,” Glover said.
Glover also pointed to the broader outcome of the annual gathering. “As we close out the 58th annual convention of public lands ranchers, we head into the next year with strong leadership, clear policy, and unwavering commitment from every western state to the future of grazing in the West,” she said. She thanked attendees for their participation in the policy discussions that shape PLC’s advocacy.
For ranchers who depend on federal grazing permits, leadership decisions like this one carry real weight. PLC’s policy positions influence how agencies manage multiple-use lands, which directly affects grazing access and business stability for permittees.
What Comes Next for the New Public Lands Council President
Cerri now leads an organization that shapes how public lands ranching policy moves through Washington. His election as Public Lands Council president signals continuity in the group’s approach while introducing new leadership voices from Colorado and California.
Ranchers and industry watchers should keep an eye on how the new officer team addresses grazing regulations and multiple-use mandates in the coming year. As always, decisions made at the federal level will ripple down to individual operations across western states.
Readers can learn more by visiting the Public Lands Council website. This story is based on a press release from the Public Lands Council.