Our Team
Megan Slater
Interim Executive Director
Megan Slater is from Berthoud, Colorado, and is the interim executive director. In her role at the association, Megan is responsible for organizing and coordinating administrative duties and office procedures and works closely with the board of directors to successfully guide the association into the future. She also assists with developing and maintaining the Gelbvieh message through marketing team efforts and membership communication. Each year, Megan is the lead planner for the AGA’s national convention, which brings together AGA members to conduct association business and connect with other segments of the beef industry through the Cattlemen’s Profit Roundup educational symposium. Megan is a graduate of Colorado State University where she obtained a bachelor’s degree in animal science and minor in business administration. Upon graduation, Megan began with the AGA as the Gelbvieh Media Productions intern, which eventually lead into a full-time position and advancement within the organization.
Tom Strahm
Commercial Marketing Director
Tom is native of Sabetha, Kansas where he currently resides with his wife, Carrie, and three children, Payton, Elliott, and Vivian. Tom is a graduate of Kansas State University and has a wealth of beef industry experience, having spent time in several sectors of the industry including cattle procurement for Laura’s Lean Beef Company and cattle sales through his time with United Producers, Inc. Tom also has experience in the cow-calf sector having worked as herdsman on both commercial and seedstock cattle operations. In addition, Strahm also has experience in lending and finance after working as a loan officer for several years. In his role as commercial marketing director, Tom will work toward creating feeder calf and commercial female marketing avenues for Gelbvieh and Balancer genetics while serving cow-calf producers and the entire beef industry. Tom will also work with members to assist them in building Gelbvieh and Balancer bull demand.
Lynn Valentine
Gelbvieh Media Productions Coordinator and Gelbvieh World Graphic Design and Publication Coordinator
Lynn has been with the AGA since November of 2010 as the Graphic Designer/Gelbvieh Media Productions Coordinator. She works closely with breeders to manage and design advertising for Gelbvieh World and The Profit Picture, along with developing marketing and promotion material for the AGA and members. Lynn is also the graphic designer and publication coordinator for Gelbvieh World and The Profit Picture. She has prior experience working for a breed association publication. For several years she worked for American Simmental Association Publications, Inc. in graphic design and advertising customer service, designing ads and other promotional materials. She is a Colorado native and grew up in Fort Collins where she now resides and works from her home office.
Rebecca Mettler
Editorial Content Coordinator and Gelbvieh World Editor
Rebecca resides in Sarcoxie, Missouri with her husband and is near her family’s century old farm. Growing up on a commercial cow-calf operation in southwest Missouri’s “cow country” gave her the interest in the beef industry she still has today. Before working for AGA, Rebecca was freelance writer for national and regional agricultural publications and has prior experience working for beef industry associations on a national and state level. She attended the University of Missouri in Columbia, Missouri where she received bachelor’s degrees in both agricultural journalism and animal sciences. Rebecca is the editor of all AGA publications including Gelbvieh World and The Profit Picture and also serves as quality assurance for written AGA communications (AKA she helps us sound good).
Taylor Buckley
Data Services Coordinator
Taylor Buckley grew up in the beef industry in Franktown, Colorado. Throughout her time in high school, she was actively involved in 4-H and FFA at the local and state region. She attended West Texas A&M University where she received her bachelor’s degree in agriculture communications as well as a minor in animal science. Taylor expanded her communications skills by working at the Beef Carcass Research Center at West Texas A&M University. Taylor also completed internships at Friona Industries and Superior Livestock that helped develop her knowledge of the industry. In her role as the data services coordinator, she will continue to grow communication through the association and members by assisting members to better understand the AGA online registry and DNA process.
Will Fiske
Breed Growth Specialist
A native of Virginia's Shenandoah Valley, Will Fiske grew up in the commercial cow-calf and stocker business. Taking an active role in 4-H and FFA as well as serving as a junior board director of the National Junior Angus Association encouraged his passion for the beef industry. With bachelor's degrees in agribusiness and animal science from Virginia Tech, Fiske managed a heifer research and development facility before pursuing a master's degree in animal breeding and genetics at Kansas State University. While at Kansas State, Fiske was involved with projects that assessed structural soundness of purebred cattle. Additionally, Fiske was involved with a nutritional supplementation study. His thesis work included the development of a genetic evaluation for a Bos indicus cattle breed (Afrikaner) in South Africa. Most recently, he served as a contractor with American Angus Association's Angus Genetics Inc., collecting and analyzing foot data in Angus herds across the country. In his role as the breed growth specialist, Fiske is involved with data analysis projects, assists the AGA marketing team's efforts to further grow demand for Gelbvieh and Balancer®-influenced cattle, and facilitates and increases the use of AGA's commercial cowherd database, Smart Select Service.
Jake Renner
Member and Youth Activities Coordinator
Jake Renner grew up in the rural community of Pratt, Kansas, where he was involved in 4-H and spent a large majority of his time focusing on livestock projects. In 2013 Renner graduated from Fort Hays State University where he studied animal science and competed on the livestock judging team. For the past five years he has been a county agent for K-State Research and Extension (KSRE) in Kingman County covering agriculture and natural resources as well as a 4-H and youth development. Renner is currently finishing his final year of graduate school at Kansas State University pursuing a master's degree in agricultural education and communication. In his role as member and youth activities coordinator, he guides the American Gelbvieh Junior Association (AGJA) and helps to develop the next generation of leaders in the beef industry. Renner is also tasked with enriching the membership experience for AGA members.