AMERICAN ANGUS ASSOCIATION - THE BUSINESS BREED

NJAA Board of Directors

The National Junior Angus Association Board of Directors offers leadership development beyond the boundaries of local or state groups. Six new directors are elected to the twelve-member board each year at the annual meeting held in conjunction with the National Junior Angus Show.

An individual wearing the signature green jacket of the NJAA Board Members.

MEET YOUR NJAA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Ava Leibfried

Chairman

Ava Leibfried is a third-generation Angus breeder from Platteville, Wisconsin. She is the daughter of Nick and Jessica Leibfried. She has been an active member of the National Junior Angus Association and the Wisconsin Junior Angus Association since 2017. Ava is currently a junior studying Agricultural Business at Iowa State University. Ava aspires to a career in agricultural sales that allows her to serve producers and strengthen the beef industry, while also managing her family's Angus operation.

Anne Dameron

Vice Chairman

Anne Dameron, from the state of Illinois, is a fourth-generation Angus breeder. She is the daughter of Jeff and Jennifer Dameron. Anne has been actively involved in her family operation, the Illinois Junior Angus Association, and the NJAA from a young age. She is currently a junior at the University of Illinois where she is studying Agricultural Communications. Upon completion of her undergraduate degree, she plans on furthering her education in graduate school. Whatever the future holds, Anne is committed to being involved in her family’s cattle operation as well as the Angus breed.

Bryanna Smith

Secretary

Bryanna Smith, from the Bluegrass State of Kentucky, is the daughter of Henry Bryan and Melissa Smith. She is a fifth-generation Angus producer alongside her brother, Blane, and enjoys showing Angus cattle and raising quality Angus bulls on their family operation, Smithland Angus Farm. Bryanna has been an active member of the National Junior Angus Association and Kentucky Junior Angus Association since 2010. Bryanna is a Junior at the University of Kentucky, dual-majoring in agricultural economics and agricultural business with minors in marketing, meat science, and agricultural education.

Blake Pillars

Events Director

Blake Pillars is from Martin, Michigan. He is a first-generation Angus breeder that grew up on a dairy farm that fell in love with the Business Breed. Blake graduated from Northern Oklahoma College (NOC) in Tonkawa, OK with a bachelor’s degree in agriculture business. Blake now is back at home helping his family while he finds out what is next for himself! Blake is excited to serve as the Events Director and plan the 2026 LEAD conference. Blake is passionate about the juniors of this association and wants to see their passion for Angus cattle get stronger and show them the diverse agriculture in the United States too.

Grant Solem

Foundation

Grant Solem is from Los Olivos, California. He is a fourth-generation coastal California rancher alongside his family they raise Angus cattle and performance horses. Growing up Grant was involved within the California Junior Angus Association, which fueled his drive to become more active in the NJAA. Recently, Grant graduated Oklahoma State University, with a bachelor’s degree in animal science. He plans on applying to vet school and furthering his education as well as staying involved with the Angus breed.

Catie Collison

Education Director

While Iowa may be known as the Hawkeye State, Catie Collison is proud to be a Cyclone and a second-generation Angus breeder. She is the daughter of Drs. Vince and Jane Collison. As Catie continues to produce quality Angus cattle, she stays busy helping at her family’s large animal veterinary clinic, Collison Embryo and Veterinary Services, and spreading her passion for the Angus breed. She has been involved in the Iowa Junior Angus Association and the NJAA. Catie is a senior at Iowa State University, where she is studying Animal Science on a pre-veterinary track. After graduation, she plans to attend veterinary school at Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine, where she will maintain her focus on food animal medicine. She plans to help continue the legacy of her family’s veterinary business and help provide services to many farmers and seedstock producers.

Adeline Tommell

Director - New York

Adeline Tommell, a fourth-generation cattlewoman from the Empire State, is the daughter of Marc and Nicole Tommell. Raised on a commercial cattle feeding operation, Adeline has always held a special place in her heart for Angus cattle. She has been actively involved in the National Junior Angus Association since attending her first Junior Nationals in 2018. Currently, Adeline is a junior at Oklahoma State University, pursuing a degree in Agricultural Communications with a minor in Law and Policy. After graduation, she plans to attend law school to become a strong advocate and voice for the agricultural community.

Ava Wood

Director - North Carolina

Ava Wood, from the Tar heel state of North Carolina, is the daughter of Jeff and DeEtta Wood and a proud sixth-generation Angus breeder. Growing up, she was deeply involved in raising and showing Angus cattle alongside her family, which sparked her lifelong passion for the breed. Ava is especially dedicated to encouraging junior involvement in the Angus industry and has been an active member of both the North Carolina Junior Angus Association and the NJAA. She is currently a sophomore at North Carolina State University, pursuing a degree in Agricultural Business Management. After graduation, Ava plans to return to her family’s business, where she hopes to play a key role in continuing their legacy while helping grow their wedding and event venue.

Bryce Hofing

Director - Indiana

Bryce Hofing is from the crossroad's state of Indiana. Bryce is the son of Josh and Deanna Hofing. He is currently attending Kansas State University pursing a degree in construction management. After school, Bryce wants to pursue a career in commercial construction and take over his grandparent's operation being herdsman of Bloom Angus Farm. Until then Bryce can’t wait to make a difference in the Angus breed and make real impacts on the junior members of the association.

Keely Shultz

Diretor - Georgia

Keely Shultz, from the Peach State of Georgia, where she grew up on her family’s operation, Mirror K Farm. Alongside her parents, Todd and Heather, and her sister, Keaton. A longtime member of the Georgia Junior Angus Association and NJAA, she discovered her passion for youth involvement, mentorship, and the Angus breed at an early age. Currently a sophomore at Oklahoma State University, Keely is pursuing dual degrees in Agricultural Communications and Animal Science with a focus in Beef Production and Ranch Management. She is active in Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow, Block & Bridle, Cattlemen’s, and serves as a Student Success Multicultural Program Leader. After graduation, she plans to return to her family’s operation while continuing to support progressive youth livestock organizations. Keely looks forward to serving the NJAA membership as a director and giving back to the association that has shaped her future.

Lexi Koelling

Director - Missouri

Lexi Koelling, from Missouri, is the daughter of Brock and Michele Meyer. Lexi is a third-generation cattleman where she is actively involved on her family farm operation playing a significant role in their Registered Angus operation as well as the commercial cattle operation. Lexi is keen on the entire beef industry as she is able to watch the high quality Registered Angus bulls her family raises perform on commercial cattle and follow those genetics through the feedlot. She has a passion for the entire Angus business- seedstock, commercial, and showring. Lexi has witnessed how the Angus cow can provide for families, grant exceptional opportunities in the industry, and unite the people of the beef industry and is excited to share how unique the Angus female is with others! Lexi is a senior at Oklahoma State University where she is studying Animal Science Business. After graduation, Lexi plans to sell hay equipment to other cattle producers while advocating for the industry that built her, the beef industry.

Lyle Perrier

Director - Kansas

Lyle Perrier is from Eureka, Kansas, where he was raised on his family’s seedstock Angus ranch, Dalebanks Angus. The son of Matt and Amy Perrier, Lyle has been actively involved in the Angus breed through the NJAA, the Kansas Junior Angus Association, as well as his family’s operation. He is currently a sophomore at Kansas State University, pursuing a degree in Animal Science with a production focus. Following graduation, Lyle plans to gain knowledge and experience in the cattle industry before returning to Eureka to work alongside his family.

Green coats - coast to coast

This program allows NJAA Board members to create and build stronger State Angus Associations.

Interested in having a National Junior Angus Board Director come to your Angus show, conference or event? Access the resources below to get started!

Learn

more about the program

Review

the state/regional association resource guide

Contact

the NJAA team to get started

MEET YOUR NJAA ADVISORS

Jaclyn Boester

Angus Foundation Executive Director

Shally Rogen

American Angus Auxiliary - South Dakota

Mark Johnson

American Angus Association Board of Directors

Junior Board Candidates

To become a candidate for the junior board, junior members must be elected by their state association. Once elected, a state advisor must submit their name in writing (via email, fax, or mail) to the Events and Junior Activities Director. The application packet will then be sent to the junior board candidate.

Connect with your state/region

Past Junior Board Members

Jack	Dameron	IL
Lauren	Gilbert	MO
Avery	Mather	IA
Lani	LeBeouf	LA
Colter	Pohlman	TX

Nicole	Stevenson	MT
J. Gordon	Clark	VA
Kinsey	Crowe	OH
Marcie	Harward	NC
Kathryn	Coleman	CA
Avery	Dull	MD

Alexandria	Cozzitorto	KS
Eric	Schafer	IL
Walker	McDermott	IA
Josh	Jasper	KY
Garrett	Schuering	MO
Cutter	Pohlman	TX

Nicholas	Pohlman	AR
Daniel	Rohrbaugh	PA
Kelsey	Vejraska	WA
Megan	Pelan	MD
Reagan	Skow	NE
Justin	Wood	NC

Tyler	Bush	SD
Baxter	Knapp	IA
Caroline	Cowles	KY
Dylan	Denny	TX
Grady	Dickerson	KS
Keegan	Cassady	IL