Activities & Events

It shall be the duty of this committee to review and recommend to the Board any new Association activities and events or changes to existing programs. An Association program is defined as any event that is sponsored in whole or in part by the Association in terms of financial support, staff time and effort, or the use of the Association name. It shall include, but not be limited to, such items as sales, contests, programs and membership in other organizations.

Lead Staff Liaison: Luke Bowman, Director, SimGenetics Development Additional Staff Support: Mia Bayer, Youth and Foundation Coordinator; Chip Kemp, Director, ASA & IGS Commercial & Industry Development; Chance Ujazdowski, PTP Coordinator

Committee Chairman: Brandon Callis

Barry Wesner

Chris Ivie

Scott Trennepohl

Tim Clark

Troy Marple

Greg Burden

Maureen Mai

Doug Parke

Breed Improvement

All activities which would have a bearing on the improvement of the breed will be the responsibility of this committee. Performance guidelines, research, genetic monitoring, DNA analysis, and regulations for new technology, are examples.

Lead Staff Liaison: Jackie Atkins, Director, Science and Educational Operations Additional Staff Support: Ryan Boldt, IGS Lead Geneticist; Lane Giess, ASA Lead Geneticist; Jordan Bowman, IGS Lead Developer; Sheldon Ross, ASA Lead Developer and System Administrator; Molly Diefenbach, DNA Services Coordinator 

Committee Chairman: Ryan Thorson

Committee Members:

Brandi Karisch

Loren Trauernicht

Matt Aggen

Victor Guerra

Joseph Hensgens

Chad Cook

Quin Lafollette

Doug Parke

Growth & Development

This committee shall review and recommend to the Board of Trustees new programs or activities which will foster and promote the continued growth and development of the breed and the Association. Functions such as promotion, public relations, member relations, advertising, and the role of the Association within the beef industry will be addressed by this committee.

Lead Staff Liaison: Chip Kemp Additional Staff Support: Luke Bowman, Director, SimGenetics Development; Jannine Story, Director, Performance Programs; Cindy Newell, FrontLine Services Coordinator; Lilly Platts, Editor; Kathy Shafer, Media Communications Coordinator/Website Developer

Committee Chairman: Chris Ivie

Committee Members:

Barry Wesner

Scott Trennepohl

Loren Trauernicht

Troy Marple

Brandon Callis

Greg Burden

Ryan Thorson

Doug Parke

 Policies & Procedures

This committee shall be responsible for the aspects of Association life that require an interpretation of policy or procedural questions or the formulation of proposals that will have a bearing on the membership of this Association. Recommendations will be made to the Board of Trustees unless an interpretation of the Rules and By Laws is involved in which event it shall be deferred to the Executive Committee and to the Board of Trustees.

Lead Staff Liaison: Sheldon Ross, ASA Lead Developer and Systems Administrator Additional Staff Support: Jannine Story, Director Performance Programs; Cindy Newell, FrontLine Services Coordinator; Molly Dieffenbach, DNA Services Coordinator

Committee Chairman: Victor Guerra

Committee Members:

Brandi Karisch

Tim Clark

Matt Aggen

Joseph Hensgens

Chad Cook

Maureen Mai

Quin Lafollette

Doug Parke

 Simbrah Committee

The objectives of this Committee are to review policy, rules, regulations, activities, promotional methods and materials which pertain to the Simbrah breed and to make recommendations to the ASA Board of Trustees

Lead Staff Liaison: Luke Bowman, Director, SimGenetics Development Additional Staff Support: Chip Kemp, Director, ASA & IGS Commercial & Industry Development

Committee Chairman: Joe Hensgens

Committee Members:

Brandi Karisch

Brandon Callis

Victor Guerra

Greg Burden

Chad Cook

Doug Parke

ASA Publication Board

ASA Publication, Inc. is a wholly-owned for-profit subsidiary of the American Simmental Association, which shall serve as ASA’s educational and communications are through timely distribution of pertinent information. ASA Publication, Inc. must stay independent and at “arm’s length” from its parent company. The ASA Publication Board must act independently and in the best interest for the company.

Lead Staff Liaison: Chip Kemp, ASA Publication Business Manager Additional Staff Support: Lilly Platts, Editor; Kathy Shafer, Media Communications Coordinator/Website Developer

ASA Publication Board Chairman: Chris Ivie Vice-Chairman: Tim Clark Chad Cook Ryan Thorson Doug Parke EVP Wade Shafer

American Simmental~Simbrah Foundation

The purpose of the Foundation is to encourage by public or private contribution, support of worthwhile educational and charitable projects that are of interest and benefit to devotees of the American Simmental Association. Further to receive, maintain, use and apply donated funds for such purposes; and to implement such educational and charitable projects, including, but not limited to:  Support of ASA's youth program through scholarships or program sponsorship  Continuing educational programs for beef enthusiasts and members of the youth program  Expanded educational programs for ASA and members of the beef industry in the areas of performance testing, leadership and bovine management  Research grants to qualified colleges and universities, for documentation of bovine performance, and research into the prevention of, or cure for cattle diseases.  Other projects or activities as may be determined by the parent association.

The Foundation shall have one class of members and shall have one (1) member, which shall be the Association, or its corporate successor. The Association Executive Committee shall have the right to vote on such matters as are permitted by the Articles of Incorporation or these Bylaws. Such voting rights shall be in addition to the right to vote on any matter reserved by law to a vote of members of a Montana nonprofit corporation. Foundation Oversight and Decisions: Executive Committee (at times full ASA board approval). 

American Simmental Simbrah Foundation Chairman: Randy Moody (Past ASA Chairman)

Lead Staff Liaison: Mia Bayer, Youth Programs and Foundation Coordinator Additional Staff Support: Linda Kesler, COO/Financial Operations

Foundation Board: From 3 – 12 appointments serving a three-year term. May not serve more than three consecutive three-year terms. Serving is at the pleasure of the ASA Board Chairman with Executive Committee Member oversight. Foundation Board’s responsibility is to fundraise for the American Simmental~Simbrah Foundation.

Note: All terms expire on 12-31.

Scott Cowger (2021) (Chairman)

Aaron Owen (2020)

Holli Hatmaker (2020)

Mark Smith (2021)

Tonya Phillips (2021)

Cathy Eichacker (2021)

Brandi Karisch (2021)

Scott Cowger (2021)

Bob Mullion (2021)

Mike Stoltey (2022)

Greg Burden (2022)

Bill McDonald (2022) 

Executive Committee This committee shall consist of the Chairman of the Board, Vice Chairman and Treasurer, and two other Trustees to be elected by the Board of Trustees, with the Chairman as Chairman. It shall be their duty to conduct the affairs of the Association between Trustees’ meetings and to carry out the instructions of the Board of Trustees. This committee shall have the power to interpret all Rules and By Laws and shall have further power as set forth in the By Laws. In addition, the Executive Committee shall serve in the role of personnel committee and planning committee. As the personnel committee, they shall be responsible for the employment of the Chief Executive Officer of the Association and all matters pertaining to the conditions of employment, subject to approval by the Board of Trustees. The long-r ange planning function will be carried out with this committee as a nucleus, plus other members or nonmembers, as may be appropriate. The Board of Trustees must approve all recommendations from this committee relative to the planning process.

ASA Board Chairman: Doug Parke Vice-Chairman: Chris Ivie Treasurer: Chad Cook Position #1: Tim Clark Position #2: Ryan Thorson Past Chair: Barry Wesner EVP:  Wade Shafer Lead Staff Liaison: Linda Kesler, COO/Financial Operations

Finance Committee This committee shall consist of five members of the Board of Trustees of which no more than three can be currently sitting on the Executive Committee. This committee shall monitor the investment program of the association on a periodic basis, review the income and expense reports monthly, prepare and submit to the Board of Trustees for approval an annual operating budget, and review proposed capital expenditures for approval or recommendation to the Board.

Committee Chairman: Chad Cook

Lead Staff Liaison: Linda Kesler, COO/Financial Operations, Wade Shafer, EVP Additional Staff Support: Chip Kemp, Director, ASA & IGS Commercial & Industry Development; Luke Bowman, Director, SimGenetics Development; Jackie Atkins, Director, Science and Educational Operations

Committee Members:

Chris Ivie

Scott Trennepohl

Greg Burden

Doug Parke