Meet the PAS Team

Scotty Abbott brings 35 years of USDA service and a lifetime of agricultural experience to Performance Agriculture Services (PAS). Raised on his family farm in North Texas, he earned a B.S. in Agricultural Economics from Texas A&M University.  After graduation, he managed an 1,160-acre irrigated cotton farm west of College Station, Texas.

Scotty began his USDA career with the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service (ASCS), now known as the Farm Service Agency (FSA). He spent his first 12½ years as a County Executive Director in Texas, working directly with local producers to implement federal farm programs.

In 1996, Scotty moved to Washington, D.C., where he helped develop software and policy for Production Flexibility Contracts (PFC) and helped lead the program’s nationwide implementation under the 1996 Farm Bill.

In 1998, he joined the New Mexico State FSA Office, working on conservation and dairy programs and serving as both State Appeals Coordinator and State Environmental Coordinator. These responsibilities gave him hands-on experience with appeals, environmental requirements, and complex program issues. From 2003 through 2005, he returned to county-level service as a County Executive Director in Beaver County, Oklahoma, and Southampton County, Virginia.

Scotty returned to Washington, D.C., in 2005 and became the Livestock Assistance Program Manager. He led implementation of the Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) and worked on forage policy for the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP), including implementation under the 2008 and 2014 Farm Bills.

After retiring from USDA in 2018, Scotty co-founded PAS in Clovis, New Mexico. In 2023, he relocated the office to Farwell, Texas, where it remains today. He draws on his experience working directly with producers and developing and implementing federal farm programs to provide personalized support for farmers and ranchers. His goal is to help producers understand their options and navigate program requirements with an experienced advocate on their side.

Scotty also serves on the Southwest Council of Agribusiness (SWCA) Board of Directors, where he connects with representatives from across agricultural and stays engaged with issues affecting farmers, ranchers, and rural communities.

Lexus grew up in Franklin, Texas, where her involvement in 4-H and FFA helped build her passion for agriculture. During high school, she showed cattle and competed in livestock judging, winning the 2018 Texas Cup for her combined scores throughout the year.

As a Texas 4-H Livestock Ambassador and Texas 4-H Gold Star Award recipient, Lexus shared her knowledge of agriculture with others through education and advocacy. Her ambassador experience also took her to Argentina in the summer of 2018, where she had the opportunity to learn about agriculture in another part of the world.

In the fall of 2018, Lexus began judging at South Plains College, where she earned an Associate of Science degree. She then transferred to West Texas A&M University and graduated in December 2022 with a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science.

During three summers, Lexus worked and interned at a high-fence whitetail breeding ranch, gaining experience in animal husbandry and organization while helping train and oversee other summer interns. She also worked in retail at HF&C Feed Store in Amarillo during her final year of college and afterward.

After meeting her husband, Lexus moved to Clovis, New Mexico, and joined PAS in August 2023. She brings her agricultural background, communication skills, and firsthand understanding of the livestock industry to the team’s work supporting farmers and ranchers.

Kelby Keeley grew up on a ranch in Alberta, Canada, raising horses and cattle. That upbringing gave her an early appreciation for the work behind agricultural operations and the importance of preserving the agricultural way of life.

A competitive athlete throughout high school in basketball and swimming, Kelby went on to attend South Plains College and Eastern New Mexico University on rodeo scholarships. She competed in barrel racing, goat tying, and later breakaway roping.

Kelby earned a bachelor’s degree in Communication with a focus in Public Relations, followed by a master’s degree in Communications, both from Eastern New Mexico University. As a graduate assistant for the university’s rodeo team, she managed social media, developed content for fans and prospective recruits, and collaborated with team members on strategies to strengthen engagement.

Her professional experience also includes working at James Polk Stone Community Bank, where she assisted customers, developed detailed procedures, produced technical reports, and maintained accurate records.

At PAS, Kelby brings together her agricultural background, communication skills, and experience supporting customers. Her connection to ranching gives her a personal appreciation for the producers PAS serves and the livelihoods they work to protect.

Lexi Lovell grew up in Brownwood, Texas, with a background in her family’s cattle and sheep operation and a strong connection to rural communities. Raising and showing sheep and goats taught her responsibility, perseverance, and the value of hard work. Through high school FFA, she also competed in livestock judging, advancing to the state competition in 2020.

Lexi earned an Associate of Science in Agricultural Sciences from Cisco College and a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Education from West Texas A&M University. Her commitment to agriculture continued through her involvement in the Collegiate Farm Bureau and her service as secretary of Collegiate FFA at West Texas A&M.

Her experience includes teaching agricultural science and serving as an FFA advisor at Blanket ISD in Central Texas, where she helped students build agricultural knowledge, practical skills, and leadership abilities. She also supported agricultural instruction as a teacher assistant at Cisco College.

Beyond the classroom, Lexi worked as a livestock show intern with the Tri-State Fair & Rodeo, assisting with show coordination, animal care, and event logistics. As a camp instructor at the Texas 4-H Center, she led educational activities and supported youth leadership development.

At PAS, Lexi brings firsthand livestock experience, strong communication and organizational skills, and a commitment to the agricultural way of life. She looks forward to putting those strengths to work supporting farmers, ranchers, and the rural communities they call home.