Personnel Changes
American Angus Association, Angus Productions Inc. hire five, promote one.
The American Angus Association and Angus Productions Inc. (API) announce the hiring of four regional managers and a director of Creative Media, as well as a promotion. Jay Nordhausen of Grant, Neb.; Jake Troutt of Emmett, Idaho; Casey Jentz, Belleville, Wis.; and Alex Tolbert, Frankfort, Ky., will serve as regional managers for the Colorado and Nebraska; Northwest; Great Lakes; and Kentucky-Ohio-Tennessee territories, respectively. Becky Terry is API’s new director of Creative Media. Jason Kenyon is director of information systems (IS).
Jay Nordhausen
Regional managers play a significant role in helping Association members identify herd goals, learn new programs and services, and grow into the future. As regional managers, they will represent the Angus breed at various cattle events, sales, shows and other activities. Breeders are encouraged to ask them questions about Association programs and services, and for help in locating Angus seedstock. They can also advise producers on marketing opportunities available through the Association, including advertising through the Angus Journal and other avenues.
Jay Nordhausen
Nordhausen is the new regional manager for Nebraska and Colorado.
“Jay will be an outstanding asset for Angus breeders across the Midwest,” says Bryce Schumann, Association CEO, of the talented young professional. “His previous experience is a solid foundation for this new role, and I encourage breeders to reach out to him for the latest in programs and services from the Association.”
A native of Nebraska, Nordhausen graduated from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln (UNL) with a bachelor’s degree in animal science, and a master’s degree in animal science and agricultural leadership. He served as a livestock buyer and broker at Wright Livestock Inc. in North Platte, Neb., where his responsibilities included buying and selling feeder cattle and bred cattle, and coordinating delivery dates and trucking accommodations between buyers and sellers.
Nordhausen served as the interim head livestock judging coach at UNL for the 2012-2013 year. He coordinated the Nebraska State FFA livestock judging contest for 575 contestants.
“The Angus breed and the Association mean a great deal to the beef business,” Nordhausen says. “I look forward to being part of that tradition, and working with Angus cattlemen and their customers in my area.”
Contact Nordhausen at jnordhausen@angus.org or 308-289-1548.
Jake Troutt
A native of the northwestern United States, Troutt is the new regional manager for Oregon, Washington and Idaho.
Jake Troutt
“Jake’s passion for livestock marketing and the beef industry is a great asset for our organization,” says Schumann. “I encourage Angus breeders in Oregon, Washington and Idaho to reach out to him to learn more about the latest programs and services from the Association.”
Troutt graduated from Oklahoma State University (OSU) with a bachelor’s degree in animal science, with a focus on livestock merchandising. He has been working in the auction business for Troutt and Sons Auctioneers since 2006, and has had summer internships with Agri Beef Co. in Liberal, Kan., and Blue Sage Acres Ranch in Emmett, Idaho.
Troutt was a member of the livestock judging team at Northeastern Junior College in Sterling, Colo., and at OSU in Stillwater, Okla.
“I feel blessed to have been given this great opportunity,” Troutt says. “I couldn’t be more excited to be able to serve the Angus breeders and cattlemen in my region.”
Contact Troutt at jtroutt@angus.org or at 208-921-6774.
Casey Jentz
Casey Jentz is regional manager for Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Wisconsin. Jentz has been involved with Angus cattle for many years, including leadership roles through the National Junior Angus Association (NJAA).
Casey Jentz
“Because of his proven experience and enthusiasm for the Angus breed, Casey will be an excellent regional manager for Angus breeders and their customers,” says Schumann. “We look forward to his future accomplishments in the territory.”
A native of Fennimore, Wis., Jentz is a May 2006 graduate of the University of Wisconsin–Madison (UW–Madison) with a bachelor’s degree in animal science. While in college, Jentz was vice chairman of the National Junior Angus Board and served as club president of Saddle and Sirloin.
He grew up on his family’s registered-Angus operation, Lone Willow Acres, and most recently was herd manager of Markhardt Land and Cattle. He previously served as a beef territory manager for Animart, an animal health company.
“The Angus breed is more than a breed of cattle; it’s a community,” Jentz says. “It is a privilege to serve our members as a regional manager. I’m eager to get started and become better acquainted with cattlemen in my area.”
Contact Jentz at cjentz@angus.org or at 608-234-1998.
Alex Tolbert
Alex Tolbert of Frankfort, Ky., brings several years of experience working in commercial livestock markets and managing registered-Angus cattle.
“Alex has grown up in the Angus industry, and we are thrilled he is joining the American Angus Association team,” says Schumann. “He has a wide variety of experiences that he brings to this position serving cattlemen in Kentucky, Ohio and Tennessee.”
Tolbert graduated from OSU with a bachelor’s degree in animal science. He most recently worked for the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service in Livestock and Grain Market News. He started there in 2007 as a market reporter and was promoted to the officer-in-charge in 2012.
In that position, he directed efforts to collect information from 50 livestock markets across Kentucky and Tennessee. The reports pertained to supply, demand, price, trends and movements of livestock, including more than 1 million head of cattle.
Tolbert’s Angus experience began on a small family operation, but today he partners in Elrod and Tolbert Cattle in Talmo, Ga., where he has learned about the vast array of programs and services available through the American Angus Association. In 2006, he served as chairman of the National Junior Angus Board.
“The legacy of the regional manager for the Angus breed is one of respect,” Tolbert says. “It’s a true honor to promote a superior brand and work hard to maintain that status.”
Contact Tolbert at atolbert@angus.org or at 706-338-8733.
Jason Kenyon
As director of IS Kenyon brings nearly 20 years experience in computer programming and management to the Association, which is constantly incorporating new technologies to improve service for its members.
Jason Kenyon
“Technology is always evolving, and [that] will not slow any time soon,” Kenyon says. “I look forward to the new opportunities that arise and how we can apply those tools to help our members have everything they need at their fingertips — from cattle evaluation data to genetic test results.”
Kenyon joined the Association in 2005 as an IS team member to help overhaul the internal database system and Association websites to adapt to the latest technology. Since that time he has been involved in many other key initiatives, including the launch of the weekly National Cattle Evaluation (NCE), the Angus Mobile smartphone app and the programming power behind genetic data reporting from Angus Genetics Inc. (AGI).
“The user-friendly tools our members enjoy today are thanks to dedicated professionals, like Jason, who understand how to integrate innovative technology into the cattle business,” says Schumann. “As these opportunities continue to grow, Angus programs and service will only be stronger.”
Kenyon will lead the IS team at the Association and focus on enhancing both internal and external tools and applications to better serve Angus breeders and their customers. Looking long-term, he hopes to automate processes to achieve faster turnaround times, improve user experience online and evolve programming to meet member needs.
“When I first joined the Angus team, I was amazed at the amount of data we track and how we apply that information,” Kenyon says. “It is on par with what I’ve seen in my previous career experiences, including healthcare, in terms of the amount of data and the complexity of the process.”
Kenyon worked seven years with Western Auto in Kansas City, and then spent six years with United Health Group, starting as a senior software developer and moving up as a team lead over internal systems. He and his family have spent the last four years in Austin, Texas, and are relocating to Kansas City.
Together with his wife, Kathi, they have four children, Ashley, Austin, Hunter and Emily.
Becky Terry
As director of creative media, Terry will be primarily focused on spearheading the Association’s annual convention and trade show; overseeing API’s efforts to strengthen brand cohesion, marketing and cross-channel audience engagement; and leading its business-development efforts.
Becky Terry
“Becky brings to API a wealth of expertise not only in breed association communications and advertising, but also has a successful career in allied industry, working on some of the most successful brand-building, advertising and marketing programs in the beef industry,” says API General Manager Eric Grant. “We are excited about her joining our team and the positive impacts she’ll have on the breeders we serve.”
Terry possesses nearly two decades of experience in ag communications, marketing and advertising. She served as manager of advertising and creative services for Hereford World, as well as publications manager for the North American Elk Association. She owned and operated Showboat Graphics for 11 years, a company that provided graphic design, advertising consultation and marketing for more than 20 companies, including API.
In 2010, she joined Osborn Barr as account supervisor. In this capacity, she worked closely with Merck Animal Health and other clients in the development and execution of marketing and advertising campaigns. She was directly responsible for event planning and execution for last year’s Cattle Feeders Business Summit and Cattle Feeders Hall of Fame, as well as the recent Vista® vaccine new product launch meetings. Terry was instrumental in founding the Cattle Production Veterinarian Hall of Fame and leading its annual awards program.
Terry also led national trade show initiatives to maximize client presence and sponsorships at National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Trade Show and Convention, World Dairy Expo, American Association of Bovine Practitioners and World Pork Expo.
A native of Kansas, Terry resides with her family in Winchester, Kan. She is a graduate of Kansas State University, holding a degree in agricultural business.
Editor’s Note: Compiled from multiple news releases by the American Angus Association.