What education are you bringing with you to this position?
Master of Science degree, meat science – Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma
Bachelors of Science degree, animal science – Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma

Please describe your agricultural background.
I grew up with a commercial background in northwest Oklahoma, farming wheat and grazing yearlings on wheat with my family. While in college, I began to buy registered females as an investment opportunity.

I had a great deal of success as a judging team member for Oklahoma State University that later led to coaching and teaching as an instructor at Michigan State University, before moving back closer to home to manage the Beef Center at OSU, and now my wife, Gretchen, and I reside west of Stillwater, Oklahoma.

What territory will you cover?
The territory that I will cover will be Kansas and Oklahoma.

What are your new responsibilities?
My responsibilities as a regional manager will be will to represent the Angus breed at various cattle events, sales, shows and other activities throughout the territory.

I will also advise producers on marketing opportunities available through the association, including advertising through the Angus Journal and other avenues. This also includes helping Angus breeders connect to their commercial customers, sharing information on the latest programs, and genuinely helping them move their herds forward.

What previous positions have you held?
I previously served as senior herdsman for the OSU Purebred Beef Cattle Center in Stillwater, Oklahoma for eight years. My general responsibilities included managing genetic selection and breeding of all females, developing bulls for registered and commercial breeders, and managing the annual production sale.

I have also served as a member of the OSU Animal Science Alumni Association Board of Directors, was a past president of the Intercollegiate Livestock Judging Coaches Association, and an instructor for the Michigan State University Department of Animal Science for six years.

Who has made the biggest impact on your career?
Dr. Mark Johnson, associate professor and Totusek Chair holder at Oklahoma State University is who has made the greatest impact on my career. Mark was my intercollegiate livestock judging team coach and undergraduate student advisor at Oklahoma State University, and while working for OSU as a herdsman, he was my supervisor.

Through my judging experience he taught me many interpersonal skills; and as a supervisor the value of integrity and managing an operation that keeps accurate records and performance data, to assist in taking care of its customers and marketing them cattle that fits their needs and exceeds expectations.

How will you be of most help to producers in your region or area of expertise?
My primary responsibility will be to assist the membership and users of Angus genetics in understanding association rules and guidelines, as well as implementing and utilizing the programs and services offered by the association. In addition, represent Angus Productions Inc. (API), an affiliate of the American Angus Association that publishes the breed’s official publication, the Angus Journal, as well as the Angus Beef Bulletin, the Angus Beef Bulletin Extra and the Angus e-List.

I am well-versed in all aspects of the Angus breed and am knowledgeable in many other segments of the industry as well. Throughout a calendar year, I plan to make numerous on-farm herd visits and attend various events such as field days, state association annual meetings, cattlemen’s conventions, shows and sales.

Why did you choose this company?
The American Angus Association is a great organization and is made up of a diverse membership.  The membership encompasses great people, who are progressive breeders that genuinely want to breed and produce a better product from the year before, in hopes of enhancing the commercial industry, so that the commercial cattleman is more successful. This philosophy is something I want to be part of. 

What goals would you like to accomplish while in this position?
My main goal is to be an invaluable asset to registered Angus breeders and commercial producers in offering sound advice in areas such as sire selection, marketing and procurement of Angus genetics.