Zack Hileman is originally from Lexington, VA, where he grew up on a farm with a small commercial cow-calf operation. He was active in 4-H and FFA and showed cattle on the county and state levels. He was a member of 4-H, FFA and collegiate livestock judging teams.

After graduating from Rockbridge County High School, Zack went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in animal science from Virginia Tech in 2004. He was hired for an internship with the Bennett Family of Knoll Crest Farms during the winter and spring of 2004.

Zack returned to college to obtain a master’s degree in animal science from West Virginia University, graduating with the degree in 2007. His thesis was an analysis of the relationship between performance measures and sale prices among Angus bulls from two different providers.

He joined Cotton & Associates later that year. In his current position, Zack organizes and coordinates sale cattle information by gathering such details as registration numbers, breeding and calving information and more from Cotton & Associate clients, and then working with the catalog department. He also assists in preparation and execution of select sales.

Zack currently lives in Lewisburg, WV with his wife, Molly, and two young children. He is a managing partner at Ironsides Farm, a cow/calf and yearling operation located in West Virginia’s Greenbrier Valley.