There’s a note of pride when Casey Jentz says he’s a fourth-generation Angus breeder. 

The Wisconsin cattleman isn’t one to shy away from sharing his industry story — from a young 4-Her showing his first heifer to his time in the green coat as a member of the National Junior Angus Board (NJAB), Jentz has always felt at home amongst his Angus peers. 

“The Angus business is a combination of great people and great cattle where great things can happen,” he says. 

During his last years of membership with National Junior Angus Association (NJAA), Jentz attended the University of Wisconsin, graduating with a degree in animal science in hopes of finding a career where he could stay involved with those great Angus people. He served as a general manager of a Wisconsin farm and a sales rep for an animal health company before the American Angus Association had an opening for a regional manager position in his home territory. 

“Growing up, I always thought they had a really cool job,” he says. “It’s a role where you get to be out and about, you get something different every day. You get to meet a lot of people, talk to a lot of breeders … help a lot of people. Those are all things that appeal to me, that I felt like I was well suited for and that I could excel at.” 

For the past 10 years, he’s helped members from Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin understand Association programs, market their cattle and answer any questions they may have. 

It’s a role Jentz describes as once in a lifetime; in nearly the last five decades, only three people have held the title. While he’s sad to leave the job behind, Jentz is making room for a fourth name — in January he was promoted to the Association’s chief operating officer (COO). 

We are thrilled to promote Casey to this new role. Not only does he have years of experience working with Angus breeders in the field, but his knowledge of the Association and its programs will also be invaluable as COO. In particular, I love Casey’s unwavering commitment to the breed.” –Mark McCully, CEO for the Association

In the new role, Jentz will be responsible for the direction and strategy of several departments, including member and field services, communications, performance and commercial programs, and events and junior activities. 

His decision to apply for the role was complex, but above all, Jentz felt like it was time for a new chapter in his Angus story. 

“I feel like I have more to give for the Angus breed,” he explains. “Being able to give some more input in a lot of different departments and really use the leadership that I’ve gained —from not only everything I’ve ever done but being a regional manager — I think will benefit me as we go forward in that role.” 

Jentz’s new position will have him moving to Saint Joseph, Mo., to work in the office, but he has a reminder for his northern friends. 

“I wouldn’t call it a goodbye … it’s a chance to serve [the members] in a different capacity than maybe what I have here in the past 10 and a half years,” he adds. “I know we have a great team at Angus, and I think being in the office, I’ll be able to get to know the [staff] a little better and hopefully work with more people within Angus.” 

He says he’s grateful to have been welcomed to countless operations, talked pedigrees with so many people and seen consistently good livestock. 

As he and his wife, Kayla, and their children, Sydney and Savannah, look towards the change, Jentz says he is looking forward to being able to be more hands on with his young children. While the regional manager position put his Angus family first, he thinks the COO title will transform some of the time previously spent on the road traveling to time at his daughters’ events. Gymnastics, 4-H, soccer, t-ball — the girls’ hobbies have become a big part of the Jentzes’ lives, but the cattle industry is also calling. Sydney is in her third year as a member of the NJAA, and her younger sister isn’t far behind. 

“There are a lot of things that get me excited with possibilities for the future,” Jentz says of what’s to come for his family. 

Most of all, however, he is eager to embed himself even deeper in the Association. 

“Angus is the heartbeat of the beef industry,” Jentz says. “The people before us have done a great job of leading Angus and positioning the breed as a leader in the industry. We can build on that and push forward into the future.”  

It’s an opportunity to take that childhood dream from long ago to the next level. Jentz’s goals and focus will stay the same, but as COO, he’ll be able to do his part in ensuring the Angus breed stays great in a competitive industry.