I grew up on a southwest Kansas livestock, hay, and grain farm in Copeland, Kansas. I’ve been involved in agriculture my whole life, ranging from 4-H, livestock judging, rodeo, and several related campus organizations, i.e., Block and Bridle and Rodeo Club. In addition, I spent a lot of time in my granddad’s dark room, helping him print pictures. This carried into a wonderful relationship with Jack Jackson at FHSU, who was our Rodeo Club advisor, ran campus photo services, and mentor.
While at Fort Hays State, I met my wife Faith, ’81. Her objective to work for the FBI led us back to her home state of Maryland, which put me in the Washington, DC, area where I had the opportunity to work for Kansas farmers and ranchers.
God has blessed us with two handsome sons, Dustin, and Michael, two wonderful daughters-in-law, Amy and Elena, and six amazing grandchildren, Mia, Parry, Gage, Finn, Liliana, and Graham.
What do you do now for a living? How did you end up choosing this career path?
I just retired from American Farm Bureau as their executive vice president after first joining the organization in 2011 as a member of its public policy staff. President Zippy Duvall named me a “tireless advocate on behalf of farmers and ranchers,” and I was named the 2023 winner of the American Farm Bureau Federation’s Distinguished Service Award. More broadly, I dedicated more than 40 years of my professional life to advocating for farmers and ranchers through my work on Capitol Hill, the USDA, and the private sector. Before my time at Farm Bureau,
I was a fixture at the Department of Agriculture during the George W. Bush administration and served as chief of staff for four secretaries. My career included a stint at the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association’s Washington office, a position I held after 12 years on Capitol Hill working for Kansas Republican Pat Roberts in both his personal House office and as an Ag Committee staffer, and I began my career with the Kansas Pork Producers Council.
Why did you choose to attend FHSU?
First, both my mother and father graduated from Fort Hays State. My dad received a degree in industrial arts, and my mom graduated with a degree in education. Second, one of my best friends from our sports league and summer rodeo season encouraged me to attend FHSU so we could be roommates.
What are your favorite memories from your time as a student at FHSU?
First, meeting my future wife, Faith. Second, meeting friends from all over the country. Finally, enjoying learning new experiences that opened opportunities beyond what I had imagined. I particularly enjoyed the many mentors, from those overseeing the college ranch to my curriculum advisor Dr. John McGaugh, who developed a special agricultural communications minor for me, to Jack Jackson’s lessons on telling a story through photography, and Dean Jim Kellerman, who had known me since I was a baby. I also have to mention President Jerry Tomanek, known worldwide as an expert on range land management and a valuable resource to us cowboys working on the college ranch. And finally, all of the outstanding fellow students, many of whom I’ve had the privilege to work with beyond my time at Fort Hays State.
What advice do you have for current or prospective FHSU students?
I’ve had the opportunity throughout my career to work with colleges and universities across North America. I would still put Fort Hays State number one on my preference list because of the quality of my education and the practicality of the campus work experiences that taught me so many valuable skills. Whether a student plans to go back home to the family business, i.e., the family farm, or move into a business enterprise, the smaller size of the school and more hands-on teaching will provide an FHSU graduate a head start on their career.
Tell us about someone at FHSU who has left a lasting impression:
This is a very tough question to answer as many individuals, ranging from deans to professors to fellow students, impacted my life and career.
But in picking one, it would be my beautiful wife, Faith, who has put up with me all these years and with whom I have been blessed with a life partner who provided so much support and patience throughout my career.
In what ways are you proud to be a Tiger?
I’m proud of the practical education that landed me my first job with the Kansas Pork Producers Council and set the path for me going forward.
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