Ben Spitzer
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Ben Spitzer attended Oklahoma State University (OSU) earning a degree in Animal Science with an animal production emphasis before finishing his graduate work in 2004 in Integrated Resource Management at ColoradoState University (CSU). After graduating from CSU, he accepted the position of Communications/Member Services Director with the Red Angus Association of America (RAAA) in Denton, TX. Bill Zimmerman
Bill Zimmerman, Foley, MN, has earned undergraduate degrees from Arizona State University and Utah State University as well as receiving two Master’s Degrees from both Utah State and St. Cloud State University. His work experience includes sales, education, extension economist, cattle genetics specialist and free-lance writing. Bill is published author in several research publications.
Chris Davis
Chris Davis grew up on a small cow/calf operation in Central Kentucky; attended Western Kentucky University and graduated with a degree in Agriculture. Upon graduating, he moved to Hart County and now works on a fall calving cow/calf and row crop operation.
Colton Buus
 Colton Buus grew up on a cattle and crop operation in Lennox, in southeast South Dakota, focusing on hay production and custom haying. The seedstock cow herd, B2/U Stock, is predominatly Simmental, but also includes Angus and Maine-Anjou genetics. Cattle are marketed through a private treaty show heifer sale in the fall, consignment of females and bulls to the local and state breed sales; as well as a private treaty bull sale in the spring.
Along with being a field representative for ASA, Colton also works for SDSU at the SE Research Farm as a livestock Research Assistant for feedlot cattle and confinement hogs. Colton is a graduate of South Dakota State University with a degree in Animal Science. |
Dr. Bert Moore
Dr. Moore has extensive contact with the beef and sheep industries having judged them at many livestock shows from coast to coast and in Canada. He has given presentations throughout the US and Canada and in Great Britain and New Zealand. He served two terms as president of the International Intercollegiate Livestock Judging Team Coaches Association, was a board member for the National Pedigreed Livestock Council and has received awards for teaching and student advising from NDSU, distinguished service from several livestock and youth organizations, is a member of Who’s Who in American Education and an Alpha Gamma Rho “Brother of the Century.”
Dr. Michael Dikeman
 Dr. Michael E. Dikeman is Professor Emeritus in the Department of Animal Sciences and Industry at Kansas State University. His research bridged basic meat science and efficient livestock production systems. He attained national recognition for his work on the Germ Plasm Evaluation and Utilization Projects at the US MARC. He was co-investigator of a large Carcass Merit Traits Project that produced the first tenderness EPDs for three beef-cattle breed associations. |
Russ Danielson
Russ Danielson has a lifetime of experience working with beef cattle and beef cattle producers. Born and raised in North Dakota, Russ was an Animal Science faculty member at North Dakota State University for 44 years, before retiring in 2010. At NDSU, Russ taught Introduction to Animal Science, Livestock Evaluation and various levels of Beef Production and Beef Systems. He was longtime faculty advisor for the Saddle and Sirloin Club, Judging Club and served as academic advisor for hundreds of undergraduates. Early in his career, he managed the University beef unit and was actively involved in establishing the University purebred Simmental herd in 1978.
Russ is well known in the US and Canada, having judged many local, state and national beef cattle shows in 26 states and four Canadian provinces. He has been recognized for his work with youth organizations, the North Dakota Stockman’s Association, the ND Livestock Endowment Foundation and The National Beef Improvement Federation.
Susan Russell
Susan S. Russell, Sugar City, Colorado, has the distinction of succeeding her husband, Curtis, on the Board of Trustees, the first time in ASA history for that particular occurrence. The secretary-treasurer of the Colorado Simmental Association (CSA) since 1998, she has been instrumental in planning for the National Western Stock Show, the Colorado State Fair, state field days and breed outreach events. Computer-savvy, she also maintains the CSA website and facebook. Russell's Reflected R Ranch includes an 80-head registered cowherd. They market yearling bulls through a partnership SimGenetic auction. In addition to the ranch, the Russells operate a feed mill, AI service and retail store called WW Feed & Supply in nearby La Junta. A former journalist, she holds a bachelor's degree from Kansas State University and master’s work done at the University of Nebraska. She is the mother of two sons, Jason and Chad, both whom were deeply involved in American Junior Simmental Association.
Perry Thomas
Perry Thomas has been involved in the Simmental cattle industry since 1978. I started ranching with my father and have continued to work with cattle. The family cattle tradition continues with the G&D Simmental ranch. We currently manage an operation with 100 cows in Northeast ND. I have been a member of the ND Simmental Association for over 30 years. I was on the board of Directors for the ND Simmental Association for 6 years.
Perry grew up in rural ND near Hansboro. During my high school years I invested in Simmental cattle and continue to enjoy the breed to this day. My wife and I started our own operation near Calvin, ND in 1982 where we farmed and ranched until 9 years ago. At that time we moved to Bismarck where we currently reside. We have 3 wonderful daughters who all have families of their own. I am blessed with 8 grandkids and am looking forward to meeting the 9 th at the end of May. My youngest daughter lives on our farm near Calvin. She and her husband continue the farming/ranching operation that I started. They have rebranded the operation as G&D Simmental.
