For a membership-run organization to function, there needs to be volunteers willing to serve. Six members have declared their candidacies for the American Angus Association Board of Directors. 

Seeking a second term are Paul Bennett, Red House, Va.; John Dickinson, Auburn, Calif.; and Loran Wilson, Orleans, Ind. 

Seeking a first term are Ron Hinrichsen, Westmoreland, Kan.; Mark Johnson, Orlando, Okla.; and Danny Poss, Scotia, Neb.

The elected delegates will choose five directors; a president and chairman of the Board; and a vice president and vice chairman of the Board during the Association’s 141st Annual Convention of Delegates, which will convene at 8 a.m. Central Standard Time (CST) Monday, Nov. 4, in Fort Worth, Texas.

Hear from each candidate in individual interviews and read the biographies they provided below.

Paul Bennett, Virginia

Paul Bennett, current member of the American Angus Association Board of Directors, enthusiastically announces his candidacy for reelection to the Board for a second term of service. Bennett is currently on the Certified Angus Beef (CAB) Board of Directors, is Chairman of the Breed Improvement committee, and serves on the Member Services Committee. He has also served as chairman of the Angus Foundation board and has been an active member of the Angus Genetics Inc. (AGI) Board.

Bennett and his wife, Tracy, have been married for 40 years and have two children, Scott and Sarah. In 2024 they have been richly blessed with a growing family — three grandchildren born in a span of three days. Scott and wife, Sarah, are parents to a son, Robert Rutledge Bennett. Sarah and husband, Matt, are parents to twins, Charlotte Scott Grigg and Bennett Anderson Grigg.

Knoll Crest Farm, Inc. is now a fourth-generation seedstock operation, with Bennett’s grandfather, Paul D. Bennett, establishing a registered cow herd in 1944. The family transitioned the farm from a typical Southside Virginia tobacco, livestock and crop farm to one that has focused exclusively on beef seedstock production since the 1980s when Paul returned home after college. Today, Knoll Crest is operated by the team of brothers, Jim, Brian and Paul, along with Paul’s nephew, Dalton. 

A lifelong cattleman, Paul Bennett was active in his high school FFA and was first runner-up in the National Prepared Public Speaking contest with his speech, “Beef, An Unsure Situation.” Graduating from Virginia Tech with a degree in animal science, he was active in the Alpha Gamma Rho (AGR) fraternity and was a member of Gary Minish’s last livestock judging team at VT. 

He has served as president of the Beef Improvement Federation (BIF), board member of the Virginia Angus Association, president of the Virginia Cattlemen’s Association, president of the Virginia Beef Cattle Improvement Association, board member of the National Beef Cattle Evaluation Consortium, as well as board member and secretary of Southside Electric Cooperative.

He earned the BIF Continuing Service Award and was a 2020 recipient of BIF’s Pioneer Award. Bennett has officiated many livestock judging contests, including the National Collegiate, FFA and 4-H contests. He has served as a judge of the Angus and Hereford Pen and Carload shows at the National Western Stock Show.

In 2020, the Bennett family of KCF was honored to donate the Angus Foundation heifer KCF Miss Y75 G730, generating $65,000 for the critical work of the Angus Foundation. Continuing support of Angus Foundation youth scholarships, research and education programs remain a top priority of the Bennett family. 

In 2024, the Knoll Crest cow herd produced 39 Pathfinder^® dams, the most of any herd east of the Mississippi River. KCF is a MaternalPlus^® breeder and collects comprehensive data on its 800-head cow herd. Complete performance data has been collected since 1963. The focal point of the Knoll Crest breeding program is to generate 400 high-quality, balanced-trait bulls annually to supply the commercial beef industry. 

The Bennetts host annual bull sales in December and April. Customer service is a pinnacle priority, and much time is spent dealing with customer success opportunities and issues. The Knoll Crest brand has placed more than 100 sires in major artificial insemination (AI) studs. 

If reelected, Bennett will be honored to continue sharing his enthusiasm, experience and understanding of the Angus breed and industry. He pledges to remain accessible and highly engaged, always striving to be a forward thinker who gives careful consideration to the needs of all American Angus Association members.

John Dickinson, California 

The California Angus Association (CAA) unanimously endorses John Dickinson, Auburn, Calif., as a candidate for reelection to the American Angus Association Board of Directors. 

Completing his first term, Dickinson has served on the committees of Member Services, Events and Activities, Breed Improvement; and three years on Commercial Programs, which he chaired this past year. He also served on the AGI Board for two years and three years on the Angus Productions, Inc. (API) Board.

Dickinson and his brother are fifth-generation Angus breeders where he grew up in Congerville, Ill. His great-great-grandfather, Senator Simon E. Lantz, first brought registered Angus cattle to their farm in the Mackinaw Dells in 1896. Senator Lantz served as president of the American Angus Association in 1941, and Angus cattle continue to run in those same pastures today. 

Dickinson grew up involved in the National Junior Angus Association (NJAA), attending his first National Junior Angus Show (NJAS) in 1991. Like many others, the NJAS became their family vacation, and Dickinson took advantage of all the programs including team sales, the Auxiliary-sponsored All-American CAB Cook-off, and the National Junior Angus Showmanship Contest, where he represented the state of Illinois. He earned the Bessler Memorial Trophy for outstanding junior member of the Illinois Junior Angus Association. 

In 1995, Dickinson was elected to the National Junior Angus Association (NJAA) Board of Directors and served as chairman the following year. He enjoyed his time in the NJAA, and takes great pleasure that many of the breeders he works with today were the same junior members he walked the barns with 30 years ago. 

Dickinson attended the University of Illinois and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in animal science. On campus he was involved in many activities, including serving as a member of AGR Fraternity, Hoof-N-Horn Club, College of Agriculture Student Senate and the livestock judging team. He also worked with the Angus and Simmental seedstock herds at the university beef farms. 

Upon graduation, Dickinson was hired by Richard Spader to serve as a regional manager for the American Angus Association covering the states of California, Nevada and Arizona. 

Dickinson traveled for the Association for 10 years and enjoyed working with registered and commercial producers to promote the breed and expand its influence in the Western United States. 

During his tenure, Dickinson coordinated the 2002 National Angus Conference and Tour in California and hosted one of the first Angus Boot Camp seminars at Cal Poly State University in 2006. He performed some of the first age-and-source audits for the AngusSource^® program in 2005 at its inception of a USDA Process Verified Program (PVP). He worked closely with Western Video Market and Superior Livestock Auction to track AngusSource calf prices for marketing and publicity, a strategy still used today. He also served as sale manager for the National Western Angus Bull Sale in Denver, Colo. 

In the spring of 2007, Dickinson left the Association and formed Parnell Dickinson, Inc. (PDI) with his two partners. PDI is a full-service marketing firm that works in all facets of promotion, management and cattle trade, both seedstock and commercial. Dickinson works 85 auctions annually throughout the United States, with a strong concentration in the West. The company also offers specialized consulting services, where he works closely with three to four seedstock firms representing more than 900 registered Angus females. In addition, PDI calves out 85 registered cows of their own. 

Dickinson also serves as the bull development manager and head of sire procurement for Grimmius Cattle Company based in Hanford, Calif. In that role he oversees all aspects of bull selection and semen production for a couple hundred registered Angus sires that are utilized in a large-scale beef-on-dairy program throughout the Central Valley of California. 

Dickinson is a life member of the American Angus Association. He served two terms as president of the CAA and has represented California as a voting delegate at the Annual Meeting every year of his eligibility. In 2007 Dickinson was the youngest recipient of the CAA Hall of Fame Award. In 2009 he was selected to the inaugural class of the Beef Leaders Institute (BLI) program, and in 2018 he was selected by the Angus Foundation to represent the breed at the NCBA Young Cattlemen’s Conference (YCC). 

John and his girlfriend, Katie Bishop, reside in Caldwell, Idaho, and have two children, Blakely (12) and Silas (3). He has spent his entire life working with Angus cattle from the first registered heifer calf given to him at 9 years old, which created a passion that not only turned into a profession but a livelihood. He is a direct product of the NJAA and understands the importance of supporting that program to the fullest and developing our next generation of Angus breeders. 

Serving on the Board of Directors has been a complete honor for John. He understands the significance of the decisions made in the boardroom, a duty he does not take lightly or for granted. He appreciates your consideration to continue serving the membership of the American Angus Association. 

Ron Hinrichsen, Kansas 

The Kansas Angus Association unanimously endorses Ron Hinrichsen of Westmoreland, Kan., as a candidate for the American Angus Association Board of Directors. Ron has been actively involved in multiple sectors of the beef cattle industry throughout his professional career and as a third-generation Angus breeder. Ron’s love of agriculture and especially cattle was fueled growing up on the family operation in Indiana, where they raised cattle, swine and row crops. Ron was very involved in his local 4-H club, FFA chapter and junior cattle breed associations. The highlight of his junior Angus career was participating in the National Junior Angus Show Showmanship Contest, where he was a top-15 finalist. Upon graduating high school, he pursued a bachelor of science degree in animal science and industries from Kansas State University (K-State). 

While at K-State he joined the Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity, holding the position of the pledge class treasurer. In addition, he belonged to the Block and Bridle club and was on the meats judging team before becoming a member of the 1991 livestock judging team, which took high team honors in beef cattle at Louisville. Throughout his undergraduate years, Ron assisted graduate students and professors on several beef cattle research projects.

Ron has always had a mind for efficiency and doing more with less. After graduating college in the morning, he married his wife, Lynne, that afternoon. The farm crisis of the mid-1980s prevented him from returning home. Therefore, Ron and Lynne established the R&L Angus/Hinrichsen Ranch in the Flint Hills of Kansas with nothing more than faith, determination and hard work. Ron and Lynne have been married for almost 33 years and raised two amazing children, Cale and Eva. 

While raising high-quality cattle, Ron and Lynne are focused on bringing in the fourth generation to continue the legacy they have established. They always raise cattle to fit the environment and sell bulls to commercial cattlemen based on their needs. They started with private treaty sales for eight years, and then hosted an annual bull sale for more than 10 years. They now provide some bulls for a cooperative endeavor. While keeping a nucleus of cattle at the home operation, the family also began leasing cattle to a great family in Western Kansas. Together the two families host an annual bull sale in the spring to provide genetics to a growing number of producers. Angus Herd Improvement Records (AHIR^®), ultrasound data, and now genomic testing are used to continually improve the predictability of the cattle.

Along with expanding the cattle operation, Ron embarked on his professional career with a start in semen sales, later moving into animal health sales. He consistently set sales records in his territory and was recognized as a high performer several times. Ron’s customer base included seedstock and commercial beef cattle producers, veterinarians, feedlot managers, and dairies. His business acumen and sales performance were highly recognized as he was recruited to become the U.S. beef sales and marketing director for a major semen company and manage a team of sales representatives. When the company focused harder on the use of beef on dairy, Ron gained a stronger understanding for the use of this program within the beef industry. However, he never lost focus of how he could assist his beef customers to become more sustainable through genetic progress and use of new technology. Currently, he works for Boehringer Ingelheim as a senior territory manager.

Outside of his career pursuits and the ranch, Ron utilized his leadership skills to become intensely involved with organizations in and out of the beef industry. As a member of the American Angus Association for 35 years, Ron has embraced multiple opportunities through his Association membership. He was a member of the second class of the Beef Leaders Institute, utilized the Certified Angus Beef Culinary Center for professional business meetings, and attended the Cattlemen’s Boot Camp. Ron served as an American Angus Association election observer for three years. He is also an active member of the Kansas Angus Association. He started his service as a director, and worked his way through the ranks to become president. He worked with other board members to continually keep the association financially stable and expand the membership, while seeking new opportunities for members to market their cattle. Later, he and Lynne became advisors to the Kansas Junior Angus Association and served on the executive planning committee, assisting the adults and juniors to host the National Junior Angus Shows in 2010 and 2022.

Nationally, Ron volunteered as the beef show superintendent at the American Royal for 20 years. He is a member of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and Kansas Livestock Association, and was on the Animal Health Committee for multiple years.

Ron was appointed to the Kansas State Fair Board, where he served for 12 years and was president for three terms. Ron and the fair board worked closely with the Kansas Fair Foundation, completing numerous capital improvements for the fairgrounds. Working with various entities and people from different backgrounds enhanced his abilities to adapt, compromise, and be a team player. On a local level, he served on his county extension board, again reaching the level of president, as well as the local rural community foundation board. 

Ron’s work in production agriculture, business and organizations has given him a broad experience to share with others. Much like the transformation of the American Angus Association over the years, Ron has a strong understanding of where the Angus breed has been, where it is today, and what needs to be done for its future. He witnessed the humble beginnings of the Certified Angus Beef program and its milestones in changing the beef industry, ultimately improving the overall quality grade going through harvest facilities. He sees the genetic advancements through Angus Genetic Inc. (AGI) and how Angus cattle can fit numerous scenarios. Most importantly, Ron believes our next generation can make a difference by participating in programs provided by the National Junior Angus Association and the Angus Foundation.

Like these Association entities, Ron’s experiences took him through a transition of learning, leadership, and building a skill set he believes would benefit the members. He is capable of listening well, analyzing information, and making hard decisions when necessary. Ron has a strong work ethic, diverse knowledge of the cattle industry, willingness to give back through service of others, and a love of the Angus breed. He is honored to be considered as a candidate for the American Angus Association Board of Directors and would appreciate the support of the membership.

Mark Johnson, Oklahoma

The board of directors of the Oklahoma Angus Association (OAA) strongly endorses Mark Johnson of Orlando, Okla., for election to the American Angus Association Board of Directors. 

Johnson is a lifelong cattleman with more than 50 years of experience in beef production. Along with his wife, Brenda, and two daughters, Sydney and Charley, he operates J&J Beef Genetics, LLC, a 100-cow operation consisting of commercial cows, purebred Angus and Charolais.

Johnson grew up on a centennial family farm in Deerfield, Mo., where he worked with his father in a beef cattle and row crop operation. During his youth, he was active in sports, 4-H and FFA, and showing, marketing and breeding cattle. He attended Northeastern Oklahoma A&M junior college and later Oklahoma State University (OSU), where he was a member of the 1985 judging team. Johnson completed his bachelor’s degree at OSU in 1986 and continued on to earn his master’s degree while serving as an assistant coach under Jarold Callahan. He then completed his doctorate at Kansas State University (K-State) in 1992.

Since then, Johnson has been a professor of animal & food sciences at OSU. He has served as supervisor of the OSU Purebred Beef operation for 32 years, during which time OSU has bred and shown the champion pen of Angus bulls and heifers multiple times at the National Western Stock Show and Cattlemen’s Congress, and has become known for its superior Angus seedstock and early adoption of technology — particularly in the production and marketing of range bulls to commercial producers. His responsibilities included financial decisions and maintaining a balanced budget.

At OSU, Johnson has held the Totusek Endowed Chair, been recognized with awards for teaching and advising, conducted youth and beef cattle extension programming and coached the livestock judging team. His teams won the American Royal six times and earned four national championships. His extension programming focuses on enhancing the profit potential of commercial cow-calf production. He has coordinated two “Blueprint For The Future” Cattlemen’s Conferences and is the lead author of four chapters in the OSU Beef Cattle Manual. Additionally, he authors weekly articles for OSU’s Cow-calf Corner newsletter and appears on the Cow-calf Corner segment of OSU’s Sunup TV.

Johnson has served as president and vice president of the OAA and has been honored with the Mr. Angus Award. He and his wife have served as Oklahoma Junior Angus Association Advisors and were inducted into the OAA Hall of Fame in 2024. 

Johnson’s dedication to the Angus breed extends beyond his professional work. Serving as an advisor and watching his children compete at the National Junior Angus Show (NJAS) has reinforced his belief in the value of the NJAA. While recognizing the importance junior shows, Mark believes the backbone of a successful Angus seedstock program is bull sales. He recognizes the significant contributions of AGI; the long-term success of CAB; and the Angus Foundation’s role in funding education, youth programs and research; and he believes each is critically important.  

A patriot and family man, Johnson considers his most important roles to be a good father and husband. He views being part of the cattle business as an honor and privilege, a sentiment rooted in his early experiences on his family farm in Missouri. His education and experience in beef production have convinced him that the Angus breed is unparalleled in regard to what it offers to cattle producers and consumers. 

Johnson is excited at the prospect of serving the Association membership, promising to bring an open mind, common sense, and dedication to addressing issues. He pledges honesty and integrity in conducting business, prioritizing the best interests of the membership and the breed.

Danny Poss, Nebraska

The Nebraska Angus Association unanimously endorses Danny Poss as a candidate for the American Angus Association Board of Directors. Poss, a first-generation Angus breeder, is a lifelong resident of Scotia, Neb., who grew up on a diversified family farming operation. 

The early foundation of the family’s commercial cattle operation was established by Poss’ parents, Melvin and Elizabeth. At an early age, Poss developed a strong interest in agriculture, especially beef cattle production. He cultivated his enthusiasm for livestock by eagerly participating in 4-H and his high school FFA chapter. In 1985, as a sophomore in high school, he purchased his first registered Angus heifer. 

Upon graduation from high school, Poss attended the University of Nebraska–Lincoln (UNL), with a major in animal science. While attending college he was a member of the livestock judging team, meat animal evaluation team and a member of the Block and Bridle Club. 

After graduating from college, Poss returned home to the family operation and began growing his Angus cow herd, while working with his parents on their farming operation. That same year in 1993, he sold his first three bulls privately.  In August of 1994, Danny and Kristi were married, and the vision of Poss Angus began. Poss continued to sell bulls privately until the first sale was hosted in Ericson, Neb., in March of 2000. At that sale he sold 38 yearling bulls. 

In 2005 Poss purchased his own ground and continued to help his dad farm his land. As Poss helped his dad, he also grew his own herd. Sadly, in February of 2012, Poss lost his dad to brain cancer. It was at that time that Kristi left her teaching career of 18 years and joined Danny on the farm. At this time, his Dad’s commercial herd was dispersed and the focus turned to Poss Angus. In 2017, he and Kristi moved the bull sale to their ranch in Scotia, Neb. Today, with the help of their boys, they market more than 300 bulls a year.

To Danny and Kristi’s 30 years of marriage, they have four children: Nolan, Nathan, Neleigh and Natalie. Nolan graduated from the UNL in 2020 and returned home to the ranch full-time. Nathan attended Fort Hayes State University and married his college sweetheart, Roxanna, in 2022. Nathan and Roxanna also came back to the ranch full-time, and they added a new little member to the family this past April, Lakyn Mae. Neleigh will be a junior studying nursing at Bryan Health and Social Sciences in Lincoln, Neb. Her sister, Natalie, will join her this year as a freshman, also studying nursing.

In addition to Poss’ years of youth leadership in agriculture, he has served several years on the Board of Directors for the Nebraska Angus Association and served as president of the Association. Currently, he serves as president of the Nebraska Cattlemen Burwell Affiliate and is a past attendee of the Beef Leaders Institute. Poss also has served as a voting delegate for the Angus Association for the past 15 years. 

Today, Poss Angus breeds 250 fall and 500 spring registered Angus females, and markets more than 300 bulls annually. With the use of a cooperative herd, they have implanted more than 500 embryos annually. They farm 2,500 acres of corn and soybeans, with an additional 4,500 acres of pasture and hay ground.

Poss Angus is actively enrolled in MaternalPlus and Angus Herd Improvement Records^® (AHIR^®). To continue their commitment to the Angus breed, they also record annual submissions of ultrasound, genomics, birth weight, weaning weight, yearling weight, yearling height, claw and angle, docility, and mature weight. 

Poss would be honored to receive your support if given the opportunity to serve as a proactive member on the Board of Directors of the American Angus Association. 

Loran Wilson, Indiana 

The Indiana Angus Association (IAA) unanimously endorses Loran B. Wilson for reelection to the American Angus Association Board of Directors. 

Raising Angus cattle nearly all his life, Wilson is a lifelong resident of Orleans in south-central Indiana, a prime area for beef cattle production. The Wilson farm consists of 820 acres, with approximately 420 acres of row crops and the balance in hay and pasture. 

Wilson was 4 years old when his dad purchased a herd of Angus cattle in 1958. He grew up actively involved in the operation, as well as in 4-H and FFA. Following graduation from the Purdue winter course in 1973, having majored in animal science, he became a full-time partner in the business and became the sole owner and operator upon his father’s death in 1997. 

Wilson married his wife, Kathy, in 1980 and they have three daughters, Kristi, Kara and Katelyn. The girls were active members in both the Indiana Junior Angus Association and NJAA, enjoying both the leadership contests and the show ring. Two are now active in the beef industry, with Katelyn joining the family operation. 

Regularly producing top-quality carcass cattle is the priority at Wilson Angus. The current operation consists of cow-calf pairs and a 300-head capacity finishing feedlot, where Wilson feeds his own cattle and does some custom feeding for others. Consistently producing carcasses that grade high-Choice and Prime is always the goal. 

Wilson enjoyed a 13-year relationship with Dawson Baker Packing, a CAB packer in Louisville, Ky., that provided carcass data and the premiums associated with certified cattle. When the nearby plant closed, the emphasis shifted to more freezer beef. Though more labor intensive, the freezer beef business allows for personal interaction with consumers, who appreciate a product that surpasses their highest expectations. The primary focus has always been producing quality cattle that are functional on the hoof and hang a superior carcass. 

To give back to the industry, the Wilson family has hosted beef-related events and forums on their farm for the local chamber of commerce and state politicians. Wilson has been a leader in the county cattlemen’s association, county 4-H beef committee, Soil and Water Conservation District, and his church. He enjoys helping coach area livestock judging teams and working with youth in the show ring everywhere he judges. 

He is a past president of the Southern Indiana Angus Association and serves as the chairman of its consignment sale committee. The Wilsons have been adult advisors to the Indiana Junior Angus Association and were the adult co-chairs of the 2014 NJAS. 

Loran is a past president of the IAA and currently serves as a director; is a past president of the Indiana Beef Cattle Association (IBCA); and has traveled to Washington, D.C., to advocate for the beef industry at the NCBA Legislative Conference. 

He has received the Outstanding Cattleman award from IBCA and works in many capacities at their annual Hoosier Beef Congress. Having attended Professional Ringmen’s Institute, Wilson enjoys working cattle sales, but having potential buyers trust his judgment to influence their purchasing decisions means the most. 

During his first term on the Board, Loran has served on committees for Member Services, Communications and PR, and Events and Education, and he has served all three years on the Angus Foundation board. He is a firm believer that decisions affecting our American Angus Association should be made much like you would run your own business at home, being financially responsible yet forward thinking.

Wilson believes when challenges arise, clear and level-headed thinking is required to consider potential outcomes and side effects. Issues should be addressed with an open mind and a calm demeanor without rushing to judgment. A lifelong Angus breeder, Wilson pledges, if reelected, to continue to serve the American Angus Association membership with respect and integrity.