CHICKASHA - Chickasha high School recently announced the hiring of Eric Bilderback as an FFA teacher.

El Reno native, Bilderback was an active FFA member, who enjoyed showing and judging livestock, and attending leadership activities.

Upon graduation in 1993, Bilderback judged livestock at Eastern Oklahoma State College, where he majored in Animal Science. After graduating from Eastern he finished his Bachelors degree at Oklahoma State University in Agricultural Education.

Bilderback taught Agricultural Education in Chattanooga, Oklahoma for six years. During his tenure at Chattanooga he was fortunate enough to mentor many students to success in the show ring. Some of his most memorable professional moments at Chattanooga include having three elected State FFA Officers, six State Speech winners, coaching a national FFA Creed Speaking finalist, and being selected as Outstanding Young Agricultural Educator of the Year.

After completing his Masters degree in Educational Leadership, Bilderback became the Agricultural Programs Coordinator and livestock judging coach at Redlands Community College. Since 2006, he has served as the Southeast District Program Specialist for Oklahoma State Department of Career and Technology Education - Agricultural Education Division.

For 11 years, Bilderback has been happily married to Shelly who currently serves as the Director of Youth and Education for American Farmers and Ranchers. They have a seven year old daughter Lauren who loves showing gilts and raising cattle.