What education are you bringing with you to this position?
I recently graduated from North Carolina State University in December 2013, and earned a bachelor's degree in agricultural business management and a minor in animal science.

Please describe your agricultural background.
I am a third generation Hereford breeder from North Carolina. I grew up in the show barn, getting my animals ready for show season and traveling across the country to show off my bred and owned cattle.

Showing cattle opened many doors for me in leadership roles and presented me with opportunities in the livestock industry. I served on the National Junior Hereford Association (NJHA) board of directors from 2008 through 2011 and was elected chairman my final year. While on the NJHA Board, I traveled to Hereford events including shows, sales and business meetings representing the junior association and the Hereford breed. The following year, I was selected to join the 2012 National Beef Ambassador Team where I traveled across the country promoting beef to consumers.

What territory will you cover?
The Alliance staff is based in the D.C. area, but we work on a national level. Our members include individual farmers, state associations and national organizations.

What are your new responsibilities?
My new responsibilities include facilitating new membership, fundraising, creating new marketing strategies and materials, generating our monthly newsletter and helping with ongoing Alliance programs and special projects.

Who has made the biggest impact on your career?
I have had so many great mentors within the livestock industry, including my parents that sparked my interest in livestock by hooking up the truck and trailer weekly for cattle shows, my advisors that served with me on the NJHA board and National Beef Ambassador Team, and the knowledgeable and encouraging staff members during my internships.

How will you be of most help to producers in your region or area of expertise?
The Alliance mission is connect, educate, protect. As the marketing and membership manager, I will help Alliance staff implement this mission by connecting farmers, ranchers, associations, restaurants and retailers, and keeping them up-to-date on current issues affecting animal agriculture. I will also help producers by educating the consumers about their food supply. We know that farmers and ranchers are busy people so we also monitor animal rights and other detractor groups' campaigns, identify emerging issues, and provide pertinent and relevant information to our membership.

Why did you choose this company?
While I was interning with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, I helped the Animal Agriculture Alliance with their annual Stakeholders Summit. The conference sessions were very impressive and gave me an idea of the Alliance mission, which resulted in me applying for the spring internship. I loved being a part of the Alliance team and helping bridge the gap between consumers and producers so I decided to accept a full-time position.

What goals would you like to accomplish while in this position?
I would like to see more state associations involved in the animal agriculture discussion and form a united front on current issues. The Alliance focuses on state issues as well as national issues, and becoming a member of the Alliance would be a benefit to any state association and their individual members. I also hope to provide our members with current information that can help them stay engaged in the hot topics that are constantly changing in animal agriculture.