Email: [email protected]

Hometown: Glen

Elected: 2021

Industry Involvement: I am the fifth generation to run livestock in southwest Montana and southeast Idaho. Historically we ran sheep. I would like to again in addition to cows. The last 45 years have been a cow/calf operation. My wife Stephanie and I have expanded to stockers and yearlings. My father Jim is my mentor and he helps a lot. Stephanie and our boys Hank and Max comprise the bulk of our crew.

Leadership Service: Past president of Southwestern Montana Stockmen’s Association for multiple terms; currently director and have been for several terms. School board trustee at Reichle (K-8 in Glen) for 13 years; currently board chairman.

Challenges Facing the Beef Industry: Environmental regulation, estate and capital gains tax changes, and inflation are bound to stress agriculture dearly in the next decade. MSGA and other groups can assist in moderating the severity of these. Regardless of the success of this plight, our biggest challenge as an individual producer is to pull ourselves up by our bootstraps, stop making excuses for our shortcomings, and find or make a way to succeed.