American Gelbvieh Junior Association Elects Board of Directors

Photo Caption: (Seated from L to R) President Grace Hammer, Wallace, Kan.; Vice President Michael Ring, Oregon, Ill.; Vice President of Leadership Development Justin Vehige, Bonnets Mill, Mo.; Secretary Van Tucker, Portis, Kan.; Treasurer Nicole Mattison, Lamberton, Minn.; (Standing from L to R) Carter Mitchell, Appleton City, Mo.; Kelsey Sheeley, Hillsboro, Ohio; Sydney Bigger, Media, Ill.; Tiana Garcia, Las Animas, Colo.; and Ex-Officio Dustin Aherin, Phillipsburg, Kan.

The American Gelbvieh Junior Association elected five members to serve on their Board of Directors for the 2013-2014 year.  Officers for the coming year were also selected. The elections took place at the AGJA national junior show held in early July in Rochester, Minn.

The AGJA Board of Directors consists of nine junior members and one ex-officio member. Directors serve two-year terms and must be 16 years of age as of January 1, and my not have reached his or her 20^th birthday as of January 1.

Newly elected directors are: Sydney Bigger, Media, Ill., daughter of Barry and Jody Bigger; Tiana Garcia, Las Animas, Colo., daughter of Keith and Teresa Garcia; Carter Mitchell, Appleton City, Mo., son of Kevin and Debbie Mitchell; and Kelsey Sheeley, Hillsboro, Ohio, daughter of Tim and Karen Sheeley.

Re-elected to a second term was Grace Hammer, Wallace, Kan., the daughter of Lyle and Christy Hammer.

Hammer was then elected the 31^st president of the American Gelbvieh Junior Association. Serving as vice president for the 2013-2014 year is Michael Ring, Oregon, Ill., the nephew of Skylar and Annette Martin.

Elected as vice president of leadership development is Justin Vehige, Bonnets Mill, Mo., the son of Tom and Stacy Vehige. Van Tucker, Portis, Kan., son of Gregg and Sandi Tucker, will serve as the Association’s secretary. Voted to the treasurer’s position is Nicole Mattison, Lamberton, Minn., daughter of Scott and Sonia Mattison.

Dustin Aherin, Phillipsburg, Kan., will continue to serve on the AGJA Board of Directors as ex-offico. Dustin is the son of Dennis and Joyce Aherin and recently completed two years as the AGJA president.

“We belong to a strong association that generates the future of the Gelbvieh breed and the beef industry. It can be one of the most influential activities you ever partake in. I know it is for me,” said Aherin. “The enjoyment found in helping the younger kids, and the fulfilling sense of accomplishment from playing a role in the success of an entire week [of a junior national show] can hardly be matched.”

The American Gelbvieh Junior Association serves more than 500 members nationally. The vision of the AGJA is to unify, educate, and develop leaders of the beef industry. To learn more about Gelbvieh or the American Gelbvieh Junior Association visit www.www.gelbvieh.org or call 303-465-2333.