Matt Teagarden
Chief Executive Officer
- Responsible to the KLA Board of Directors for all association business and administration of the staff and office.
- Treasurer of KLA PAC Treasurer of the Kansas Beef Council
Secretary/Treasurer of the association
Legislative and governmental affairs
Dee Likes
Chief Executive Emeritus
- Serves in an advisory capacity to the CEO, staff and voluntary leaders.
Directs special projects and initiatives on national issues.
Nicole Ortiz
Administrative Director
- In charge of KLA office facilities and management
- Oversees coordination and planning of the convention, conferences and special activities
- Oversees support staff
- Serves as assistant to the CEO
Clayton Huseman
Executive Director, Feedlot Division
- Responsible to help feedlot members deal with government regulations
Cattle Feeders Council membership development
Provides seminars and bulletins pertinent to the feeding industry
President of KLA Environmental Services, Inc.
Aaron Bain
Director of Information Technology
- Responsible for the overall planning, organizing and execution of all IT functions
- Provides support and maintenance of existing applications and development of new technical solutions
Scarlett Madinger
Vice President, Communications
- Coordinates member and public communications on all KLA and livestock industry matters
- Editor of the Kansas Stockman
- Editor of the KLA News & Market Report
Stephen Russell
Director of Advertising & Promotions
- Responsible for obtaining advertising and providing ring service for the Kansas Stockman
- Represents the association and Kansas Stockman at breed association events
- Manages the KLA Convention Trade Show
Rachel Waggie
Manager of Communications & Advertising
- Serves as production manager of the Kansas Stockman
- Responsible for all advertising creation and layout
- Serves as editorial assistant of the Kansas Stockman and the KLA News & Market Report
- Maintains the association's social media platforms and website
Aaron Popelka
Vice President of Legal & Government Affairs
- Conducts research concerning the impact of existing and/or proposed legislation and regulations on producers
- Assists members in interpreting existing laws and regulations
- Acts as the association's general counsel
- Represents the association in legislative and governmental affairs
Jackie Garagiola
- Assists members with legal questions
- Represents members in legislative and governmental affairs
- Conducts research concerning the impact of existing and/or proposed legislation and regulations on producers
Cole Sjeklocha
Director of Industry Relations
- Responsible for providing services primarily to KLA Dairy Council members.
- Assists in managing KLA Risk Management Services
Taylor Nikkel
Director of Stockgrowers Division
- Responsible for providing services primarily to KLA members in the seedstock, cow-calf and stocker segments
- Represents members in legislative and governmental affairs
Ryan Higbie
Director of Membership Marketing & Services
- Responsible for direct pay membership retention and recruitment
- Responsible for the KLA Leadership Conference and Young Stockmen's Academy
- Coordinates educational, informational and other membership activities related to the direct pay membership
Shelbi Wiggs
Manager of Membership Marketing
- Designs membership and event marketing materials
- Coordinates membership activities with director of membership
- Administers KLF Scholarship Program
- Coordinates the KLA Convention Trade Show
Megan Anguiano
Manager of Membership Services
- Coordinates membership activities with director of membership
- Oversees association and affiliate membership records and data base
- Processes month end reports
- Assists with county chair management
Kaitlyn Skaggs
Administrative Coordinator
- Provides administrative support to membership, event planning, legal and legislative staff
- Receives incoming phone calls and greets visitors
- Provides assistance in all mailings and ordering of office supplies
Cindy Roush
Controller
- Maintains all association and affiliated groups' financial records
- Financial analysis - provides executive vice president with recommendations for expenditure of the association's funds
- Oversees work schedules of accounting department employees
Lisa Hanley
Accountant
- Prepares various financial statements for affiliated groups
- Accounts payable
Wyatt Schroeder
Safety Director
- Organizes, directs and coordinates safety programs for members of the KLA Risk Management Services pool
- Helps feedyard and dairy members develop a strong safety culture
- Plans and executes various safety seminars