Madden Brothers of Wyoming Inducted Into Cattle Marketing Hall of Fame
June 21, 2024
The Cattle Marketing Hall of Fame recognizes individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to competitive marketing and true price discovery. These men and women are the backbone of the cattle industry. Their efforts ensure a competitive marketplace, the foundation of the American Cattle Industry. Without price discovery we become price-takers and lose our way of life.
This year's inductees include Lex and Shawn Madden of Torrington Livestock Markets in Torrington, Wyo.
Shawn Madden was born in Lusk, Wyoming in 1954. Shawn was born into a Livestock Marketing Family. Growing up, Shawn’s father Joe Madden, owned and operated the Sale Barns in Lusk and Wheatland, Wyoming. Shawn worked for Joe and got his start auctioneering at the Wheatland Sale Barn. Shawn attended Casper College where he participated on the Rodeo and Basketball Teams. He then transferred to the University of Wyoming. After College he pursued a career in Real Estate. In the early 80's, in addition to real estate, Shawn continued the growth of Madden Brothers Auctions. Due to the economic conditions of the early 80's their auction business flourished. One of their first signature sales was selling out Del’s Yellow Hotel Brothel in Lusk, Wyoming, which was picked up on the wires on the UPI and AP nationally. In the late 80's Shawn and his brother, Lex were employed by LW Maxfield at Torrington Livestock Markets and Auctioneers and Ringmen. They were offered the opportunity to run their own facility at Stockman's Livestock. They successfully ran Stockman's until their merger with Torrington Livestock Markets in 1991, At which time they entered into partnership with Mike Maxfield and Oliver Dicken. Shawn and lex acquired sole propriety of Torrington Livestock Markets. Through their ownership they successfully marketed over 400,000 head by direct auction, video and country sales annually. Torrington Livestock Markets annually ranked in the top 10 of cattle marketed in the United States. Shawn competed and won the World Livestock Auctioneering Championship contest in 2001. To this day, Shawn along with his brother Lex are the only brothers to have won the Contest. Shawn enjoys spending time with his three daughters, Cassie Brandl (Jeremy), Emily Madden and Tawnee Madden and his Grandsons Madden (Jack) & Kellen Brandl.
Lex Madden was born in Lusk, Wyoming in 1957. Lex was born into a Livestock Marketing Family. Growing up, Lex’s father, Joe Madden, owned and operated the Sale Barns in Lusk and Wheatland, Wyoming. Lex got his start auctioneering in Crawford, Nebraska and Edgemont, South Dakota. Lex attended Chadron State College on a football scholarship and later transferred to the University of Wyoming. In the early 1980's, Lex and Cody Thompson started Thompson/Madden Auctions later to be joined by his brother Shawn to become Madden Brothers Auctions. Madden Brothers Auctions flourished under the 1980's economic conditions One of their first signature sales was selling out Del’s Yellow Hotel Brothel in Lusk, Wyoming, which was picked up on the wires on the UPI and AP nationally. In the late 1980's Lex and Shawn were employed by LW Maxfield at Torrington Livestock Markets as Auctioneers and Ringmen. They were offered to run their own facility at Stockmans Livestock. They successfully ran Stockmans until their merger with Torrignton Livestock Markets in 1991. At which time they entered into partnership with Mike Maxfield and Oliver Dicken.Lex and Shawn aquired sole propriety of Torrington Livestock Markets. Through their ownership, they successfully marketed over 400,000 head by direct auction, video and country sales annually. Torrington Livestock Markets annually ranked in the top 10 of cattle marketed in the United States. Lex competed in and won the World Livestock Auctioneering Championship in 1998. To this day, Lex and Shawn are the only brothers to have won the contest.Lex remains the majority owner of Torrington Livestock Markets. Lex and his wife Jamie have three daughters, Lexie Prozinski (Chris), Addie Madden and Avery Ehler (Paxton) and two grandchildren Gracyn and Decker Prozinski.
The Cattle Marketing Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will take place Friday, July 26, 2024 at the Boot Hill Casino Conference Center in Dodge City, KS.
Source: Cattle Marketing Hall of Fame
