President

Corey Carpenter, Calif.

Corey Carpenter, 21, of Red Bluff, Calif., is the son of David and Mary Carpenter.

A member of NJSA since he was 10-years-old, Carpenter has attended the National Youth Leadership Conference and seven regional shows, earning top honors in both showmanship and skillathon.

He says he is inspired to be on the NJSA board to serve the members, and because of the role models he has had in previous directors.

"Following their example helped shape me into the person I am today," he says. "I believe you must first become a good follower before you can become a great leader!"

Carpenter is president of his collegiate Young Farmer's Association, herdsman of the college swine unit, was keynote speaker at the MJC Agriculture Open House, and named Young Farmer of the Year for Tehama County.

He held many offices in his nine years in 4-H and five in FFA, and received his FFA American Degree. In high school he played varsity basketball and football and was in Business Club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Relay for Life, Farm Bureau and the California Pork Producers Association.

His career goal is to obtain a Ph.D. in animal science and teach at a junior college or university. He plans to continue to raise hogs and cattle and educate young people about livestock production.

Carpenter says his goals for his NJSA director team include encouraging communication with members through email and calls, increasing awareness of the NJSA through 4-H and FFA, and having a greater presence at state fairs.

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Vice President

Greg Krahn, Wis.

Gregory Krahn, 20, of West Bend, Wis., is the son of Ron and Eileen Krahn.

Krahn has been a member of NJSA for six years. His family's increased involvement in swine over the past few years spurred him to become more involved in the NJSA, especially after attending several shows and volunteering at the NAILE.

He was an 11-year 4-H member, varsity football player and wrestler, and wrestling team captain. He has volunteered as a wrestling coach, county swine youth leader, and at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville jackpot show.

Krahn competes on the Western Illinois livestock judging team, works at the university swine farm, and is a member of Hoof 'n Horn Club and Ag Council. His goals are to help his judging team improve, be a valuable teammate, and contribute to livestock improvement at the university swine farm. He is currently interning at The Maschoffs.

Krahn says Wisconsin is not as recognized for pig shows as other states, and he would like to be a NJSA director to "not only improve the Northern region involvement in NJSA, but also play a big role in NJSA members across the country."

Krahn sees social media as important in building membership, and believes in the effectiveness of a personal phone call or a handshake and an introduction in building NJSA membership.

"NJSA is the biggest impact on the junior swine industry across the country today, and will continue to be," he says.

"I would like to give back to the youth, in a way the older generation gave to me."

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Secretary

Tonya Fender, Ohio

Tonya Fender, 18, of Lynchburg, Ohio, is the daughter of Gary and Connie Fender. She currently attends Lake Land College and then she will transfer to a senior college for a degree in ag business and ag communications, as well as judge livestock.

Fender says being a NJSA director because it is truly a passion of hers. A member of NJSA since 2000, she says, "A leadership position is a way I can serve as an advocate for the industry I love so much, and encourage others to become involved."

She has shown pigs for 15 years, including at the World Pork Expo, National Junior Summer Spectacular, Southeast Regional, National Western, American Royal and NAILE. She competes in showmanship, skillathon, judging and sweepstakes and is an MVP mentor.

Fender is president of her 4-H club and FFA chapter, and in National Honor Society, Mathletes, junior county fair board, Envirothon team, theater arts, Spanish Club, Highland County Pork Producers, Pricetown Church of Christ, and the National Rifle Association. She was the 2010 Highland County Pork Industry Queen.

Fender plans to boost NJSA membership by increasing awareness at state and local fairs, and sharing personal NJSA experiences through social networking and one-on-one conversation.

She would like to see more clinics on showmanship, skillathon and judging contests, so members can improve their knowledge, and programs to promote ag jobs.

"It is critical as board members we encourage these activities, keeping in mind it is not all about the blue ribbon – it is about the future of the swine industry and gaining experiences that will make [NJSA members] stronger leaders of tomorrow."

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Eastern Director

Matthew Morrison, N.Y.

Matthew Morrison, 19, of Conewango Valley, N.Y., is the son of David and Margie Morrison. He attends Black Hawk East and plans to transfer to a four-year university and go into swine genetics or agricultural education.

Morrison says he wants to help build members' futures in the ag industry.

"The NJSA has played a crucial role in shaping my life; a leadership position would give me an opportunity to give back and help those who have helped me," he says.

Morrison has shown gilts at the National Junior Summer Spectacular and the NJSA Eastern Regional. He says his connections made through NJSA led him to Black Hawk East to study ag.

Morrison was a member of 4-H for 10 years, showing cattle and hogs, and was a Teen Ambassador and on various livestock committees. He has been in FFA since 2004, serving as chapter president and sentinel, and competed at the National FFA livestock judging contest, as well as other judging contests across New York and the Northeast. He currently is on the freshman livestock judging team at Black Hawk.

Morrison says if he will focus on improving membership in the Northeast.

"Growing up in New York, I realize the difficulties in traveling to the Midwest to attend events," he says.

"There are swine enthusiasts all across the country and I would concentrate my efforts on tapping into this pool of new members."

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At-Large Director

Amy Newnum, Ind.

Amy Newnum, 19, of Kingman, Ind., is the daughter of Harold and Dawn Newnum. She attends Purdue University, studying agriculture finance.

A NJSA member since 2005, Newnum has shown and competed in showmanship and skillathon.

"Being a part of the swine industry has affected my life dramatically," she says.

"It has given me many opportunities most kids do not get to experience. I want to be a part of something that will open doors for others and give them an experience of a lifetime.

Newnum is a member of Purdue's Collegiate FFA, volunteers with the Rockville Rotary Club and is a member of the Indiana Junior Swine Circuit. She was previously a 10-year 4-H member, an FFA member, class president, Student Council president and vice president, National Honor Society president, and the 2010 Parke County Fair Queen.

Newnum's career goals are to work as a financial consultant or accountant, and she plans to stay involved in the swine industry through her career or in a partnership with her brother in the breeding industry.

She says as a director she will work to increase membership by increased advertising, promotion and additional competitive activities.

"I believe there is a bright future for the National Junior Swine Association," she says.

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At-Large Director

David Ammann, Ill.

David Ammann, 19, of Highland, Ill., is the son of Mike and Shari Ammann. He attends Lake Land College.

Ammann plans to attend a four-year university in animal science, then possibly attend graduate school to study swine. He also hopes to be successful in his collegiate livestock judging career, and someday judge an NJSA regional show as well as advance his showpig business.

Ammann has shown pigs since he was 7 years old, and says, "A goal of mine has always been to serve on the NJSA Board of Directors to give back to the NJSA what they have offered to me, and further educate the youth of the swine industry."

He has competed at the National Junior Summer Spectacular, World Pork Expo, Southwest Regional and Southeast Regional. He is on the NJSA shows committee and in the MVP program, and won the all-around NJSA sweepstakes in 2009-2010.

Ammann was a member of 4-H for 10 years and FFA for four, serving in various offices and competing on the 2010 Illinois state livestock judging team. He also played varsity golf, basketball and baseball, has refereed and umpired games, and participated in mission trips. At college he is on the livestock judging team and in Ag Transfer Club.

Ammann's plans to increase membership are to use social media, educate members on future careers, build the MVP program, and develop breed-specific awards.

"I want to help young people just getting started in NJSA meet new friends, but mostly show them how amazing the NJSA is and what it has to offer," he says.

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At-Large Director

Dustin Compart, Minn.

Dustin Compart, 19, of Nicollet, Minn., is the son of Chris and Rochelle Compart and a freshman at South Dakota State University majoring in animal science. Eventually, he hopes to return home to work with his family in their seedstock business, commercial production or branded meat program.

A five-year NJSA member, he has attended the World Pork Expo every year since he was six years old.

Compart was a Junior Representative on the Nicollet County Fair Board, a county 4-H Ambassador, and the captain of the varsity football team in 2010. He is currently involved in the SDSU Block & Bridle Club, Swine Club and Collegiate Farm Bureau.

Compart would like to be an NJSA director to have an opportunity to work for an organization that he hopes to be a part of his entire life. If elected, he would like to organize showmanship, show preparation and nutrition clinics throughout the country.

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At-Large Director

Kyle Mendes, Calif.

Kyle Mendes, 20, of Modesto, Calif., is the son of John and Heidi Mendes and a sophomore at Modesto Junior College. He plans to attend a four-year college and become an agriculture teacher and FFA advisor in California, while continuing to stay involved in the swine industry.

Mendes has exhibited purebred gilts and barrows that his family has raised at the Western Regional since the show began. He has also attended the NJSA National Youth Leadership Conference and was selected to serve as one of the first NJSA Ambassadors in 2011. Since then, he has attended numerous NJSA shows and events representing the NJSA as an ambassador.

Mendes has held several leadership positions, including a regional FFA office, where he represented 18,000 California FFA members, and a Young Farmer officer position. He was extremely active in FFA and sports and continues to volunteer as a tutor for young students and livestock judging coach.

Mendes says he is seeking a leadership position in the NJSA because it combines three things that he has a deep passion for: raising pigs, promoting the agriculture industry and helping the youth of the livestock industry. He would like the opportunity to promote the swine industry on a national level and to elevate younger members to new heights within their swine projects. If elected, Mendes would like to add speaking contests at regional shows and increase the number of leadership conferences held throughout the year.

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At-Large Director

Tyler Copeland, Ark

Tyler Copeland, 19, of Paragould, Ark., is the son of Steve and Marsha Copeland and a freshman at the University of Arkansas – Fayetteville, majoring in pre-veterinary medicine with a minor in agribusiness management. He hopes to become a large animal vet and eventually take over his father's business.

A six-year member of the NJSA, Copeland has participated in the World Pork Expo Junior National, NSR Summer Spectacular, American Royal and North American International Livestock Exposition. He has also attended the NJSA National Youth Leadership Conference for the past three years and serves as a mentor in the MVP (Mentoring Values People) program.

Copeland served as his 4-H club president and is currently a member of the Block & Bridle Club, Collegiate FFA, Pre-Vet Club and Collegiate Farm Bureau.

Copeland says he would like to be an NJSA director so he can touch the lives of youth, just as the past board members have done to him, and give back to his "swine family." If elected, Copeland would like to coordinate a group of NJSA members that would go around in their specific regions and talk in schools about NJSA.

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Southwest Director

Konni Kelso, Texas

Konni Kelso, 20, of Seguin, Texas., is the daughter of Kurt and Stepheny Kelso and a junior at Texas A&M University. She plans to attend law school and become a lobbyist for a large agricultural business or firm.

An NJSA member since 2006, Kelso has participated in the NSR Summer Spectacular, World Pork Expo Junior National and the Southwest Regional. She has also attended an NJSA National Youth Leadership Conference and has been a mentor in the MVP (Mentoring Values People) program.

Kelso is a member of the TAMU Aggie Reps, Saddle & Sirloin Club, Wool Evaluation Team and is the Public Relations officer for the AgEcon Society.

Kelso would like to be an NJSA director because she has a passion for people, agriculture and the swine industry – three entities that NJSA is built upon. She would like to have the opportunity to work with people, become an advocate for agriculture and be an active supporter of the swine industry. If elected, Kelso hopes to increase NJSA membership by becoming more involved in state shows.

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