NSRSTAFF

As the Chief Executive Officer, Zwilling's responsibilities range from staff management to the planning and implementation of national shows. He works closely with the NSR Executive Committee and the Breed Association Board members to develop and administer strategic plans, goals and policies for the NSR. Clay also looks over fiscal management, staff recruitment and program accountability. He represents the NSR as part of national organizations such as the National Pork Board, Animal Science Committee, National Association of Swine Records and the National Pedigreed Livestock Council, all of which are fundamental to the success of NSR.

Clay was raised on a small grain and purebred livestock operation in West Illinois. He attended Lake Land College in Mattoon, Ill., and later transferred to Oklahoma State University where he received his Bachelor of Science in Animal Science and Agricultural Education. While at OSU, Clay was named an All-American Livestock Judge and was on the 2012 National Champion Livestock Judging Team. He also earned his master's degree from Texas A&M University.

Prior to joining the NSR, Clay worked at Farm Credit Illinois as the Director of Marketplace Education and Development, leading the association's educational and young farmer programs. Clay is a past Illinois FFA State President and stays involved with the National FFA by serving as the Livestock CDE Superintendent. In his spare time, Clay enjoys spending time with his wife Deanna, watching college football and traveling.

"No moral man can have peace of mind if he leaves undone what he knows he should have done." — John Wayne

The responsibilities Doug holds as the Vice President of Genetics and Technology include overseeing STAGES™ genetic evaluation, DNA testing, and international breed promotion and marketing. Doug works with universities on the Genetic Advisory Committee to coordinate research development.

After attending Western Kentucky University, Doug received his master’s and doctorate degrees in animal breeding and genetics from Iowa State University. He was an active member of the livestock judging team, Block & Bridle Club and the ISU Boxing Club. After receiving his PhD, Doug began working for Genetic Improvement Services of North Carolina, in 2004. In 2008, he moved to Iowa to work for Newsham Choice Genetics before returning to his home state of Indiana, in 2013, to begin his work for the NSR.

Doug and his wife, Jennifer, have two daughters, Olivia and Maella. He spends his free time golfing, tinkering in his garage, and coaching his girls in athletic activities.

"We often miss opportunity because it's dressed in overalls and looks like work." — Thomas Edison

As the Vice President of Operations, Knauth is involved with various functions of all NSR departmental efforts; however, she is specifically responsible for the oversight and implementation of programs and activities related to the shows and sales, marketing and communications, and youth development programs, all of which are fundamental to the success of NSR.

Ellen grew up in Elkhart, Illinois on her family’s corn and soybean farm. Alongside her family, she raised and exhibited Duroc and crossbred showpigs at the local, state and national levels. Showing at NJSA events is how Ellen became familiar with the organization. Ellen is a graduate of Lake Land Community College and the University of Illinois, where she judged livestock and earned a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture and Consumer Economics.

Ellen currently lives in Milford, Illinois with her husband, Kyle, and two sons, Kolton and Knox. Her and Kyle operate Knauth Showpigs, and along with Ellen’s brother, Blane, his wife Kristi, and their children, they operate Knauth + Olson Boars. As a family, they enjoy spending time in the barn working with pigs and playing outside. Outside of the barn, the Knauth family enjoys cheering on the Chicago Cubs and all Illini sports teams.  

Ellen also volunteers her time with the Illinois Pork Producers. From 2018-2019, she participated in their Future Leaders Program, and now serves on their Education and Youth Committee.

"Follow your dreams, believe in yourself and don’t give up." — Rachel Carrie

Mindee was raised in Clinton County, Ind., and received a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Butler University. She has 22 years of public accounting experience, with a concentration in auditing financial statements for non-profits and establishing internal control systems. Pollard previously worked with non-profits in Indianapolis, Ind., and Atlanta, Ga., before returning to Lafayette, Ind., to work for Huth Thompson LLP as a Senior Accountant. She is an associate member of the Indiana CPA Society and former member of Certified Fraud Examiners.

In her spare time, Pollard enjoys playing cards, especially euchre, movies, fishing and bowling. She also assists her parents run their family business in Frankfort, Ind. Family is very important to her, and she and her husband, Brian, get together with their parents weekly for a good meal and memories.

“If you want an accounting of your worth, count your friends.” — Mary Browne

Lisa has been working in the purebred swine industry for more than two decades. As the Pedigree Department Director she is in charge of coordinating the pedigree staff in their daily duties. As the Administrative Secretary, Lisa serves as a resource for not only the NSR staff, but also breeders and members of the NSR. She makes travel and meeting arrangements for the CEO and two Vice Presidents. Lisa facilitates the staff at shows by coordinating the pedigrees and clerking the sales.

She has three grandchildren, Macyn, Prestyn and Addilyn whom she loves to spend time with.

"Nothing can bring you peace but yourself." — Ralph Waldo Emerson

Whitney joined the NSR team in January 2014 as the Junior Program and Pedigree Department Assistant. She currently assists with all of the NSR shows and events and registers and transfers all Yorkshire litters.

An Iowa State Alumna, Whitney graduated with a bachelor’s in animal science. During her time in Ames, she was an active member of ISU Block & Bridle and the Swine Interest Group. Before joining the NSR team, Whitney interned with Beck’s Hybrids, the Indiana State Fair and the Iowa State Swine Nutrition Farm.

When she’s not in the office, Whitney enjoys heading home to spend time with her family and friends and help on her family’s purebred swine operation in Indiana. She also enjoys reading and baking.

"Ability is what you're capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it." — Lou Holtz

Whitney provides DNA services for the breeders, including DNA testing and processing.

Before joining the NSR staff, Whitney received her associate’s degree from Black Hawk College-East Campus and then transferred to Western Illinois University where she obtained her bachelor’s degree in agribusiness—animal science. She was a member of the livestock judging team at both BHE and WIU.

Whitney is still active in helping with her family’s showpig operation.

"Things will go wrong at times. You can’t always control circumstances. However, you can always control your attitude, approach, and response. Your options are to complain or to look ahead and figure out how to make the situation better." — Tony Dungy

Megan comes from an ag background, and is an animal science graduate from Western Kentucky University. She worked at Maple Farms office (swine division) entering data during her school years at Ivy Tech. She served as Board member on the American Junior Shorthorn Association and also on the Indiana Junior Beef Cattle Board of Directors.

"Keep your face always towards the sunshine and the shadows will fall behind you" — Walt Whitman

Cassie serves as the Social Media Manager. She is responsible for promoting the mission and activities of the NSR and NJSA, thru its online platforms. Cassie also designs ads and writes feature stories for the Seedstock EDGE.

Cassie attended Texas Tech University where she received a bachelor’s degree in agricultural communications and a master’s degree in agricultural education. While at Texas Tech, she was a member of the livestock judging team, Block & Bridle and Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow. Prior to her time at the NSR, Cassie interned with Texas Pork Producers, Texas Alliance for Water Conservation, Cargill and several livestock shows.

Growing up on her family’s cattle ranch gave Cassie her love for agriculture. Outside of the office, Cassie enjoys spending time with her family and friends, going to stock shows and cooking.

"Spectacular achievement is always preceded by unspectacular preparation." — Robert H. Schuller

DeShea Wallace serves as the Creative Design Coordinator. She contributes to ideation and creative design related to Seedstock EDGE Media, including layout and design, video editing, marketing campaigns, and general design work.

DeShea Wallace graduated from Texas Tech University with a bachelors degree in Agricultural Communications. While at Texas Tech, she was a member of the wool, meats and livestock judging teams, Block & Bridle and the Meat Science Association. She also worked as a student assistant for the Animal and Food Sciences Department. Before joining the NSR staff, DeShea worked for the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension as a 4-H Agent. During college, she was a communications intern with the American Meat Science Association.

Growing up in New Mexico, with an agriculture education teacher as her father, DeShea was instilled with a love for the industry at an early age. Her fondest memories are the many hours and days spent at the barn or on the road to stock shows with her family and her livestock. In her spare time, DeShea enjoys spending time with her husband Zac and her three dogs.

"SOpen different doors, you may find a you there that you never knew was yours. Anything can happen." — Mary Poppins

Nicole joined the National Swine Registry team in April 2019 as the Director of Education and Outreach. Chance works cross-functionally with the Director of Jr. Shows and is responsible for the development of educational resources and outreach activities that closely align with NSR’s Long Range Strategic Plan, coordinating national and regional leadership conferences, and promotion of the organization to industry stakeholders and consumers.  

Nicole attended the University of Illinois where she obtained her bachelor’s degree in agricultural communications and minor in animal sciences. During her time at Illinois, she was a member of the livestock judging team, Illini Hoof n’ Horn, 4-H House Cooperative Sorority and Illini Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow. Before the NSR, Nicole interned for WYXY Classic 99.1, Illinois College of ACES, National Pork Board, Land O’ Lakes and was a Sales Trainee for AgReliant Genetics following graduation.

Growing up on a diversified grain farm and farrow to finish hog operation in Lebanon, Indiana has always given her a deep respect and passion for the swine industry. Nicole hopes to use this passion to discover unique and impactful ways to connect young seedstock producers with industry leaders that offer hands-on learning experience, knowledge and mentorship ultimately leading to careers in leadership within the swine industry.

"Be patient but persistent." — Ronald E. Chance

Brynn joined the National Swine Registry team in May 2019 as the NSR Program Assistant. In her new role, Roy works with multiple departments within the NSR, helping out wherever she is needed.

Brynn is a recent graduate of Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, where she earned a degree in agricultural economics with a focus on agribusiness management. While attending Purdue University, she was an active member of Purdue Block and Bridle as well as a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority. Brynn served as the NJSA Intern prior to joining the staff full time in May.

Brynn first discovered her interest in the industry at a young age on her family’s Shorthorn cattle farm located in Battle Ground, Indiana.  Her passion evolved in the swine industry when she began exhibiting showpigs at the local, state and national levels. In her spare time Brynn enjoys coaching youth club volleyball, attending Purdue sporting events and traveling to new places.

Serving as the Field Representative of the Southwest region of the U.S., Mick promotes purebred Duroc, Hampshire, Landrace and Yorkshire swine. He provides technical assistance to breeders and attends NSR shows throughout the year and travels to visit with breeders in his territory.

Bellamy is a second-generation fieldman; his father, Larry, was a fieldman for the United Duroc Swine Registry and then the NSR. Bellamy has been raising Duroc and crossbred hogs all of his life.

He and his wife, LaDonna, have two daughters: Megan Roper and her husband, Stuart, and Sarah Goodson and her husband, Matt. They also have four grandchildren: Mackey, Gibson and Sutton Roper and Crew Goodson.

"I can't believe they pay me to do what I love!" — Mick Bellamy

Serving as the Field Representative of the Eastern region of the U.S., Clay assists members in the Eastern Region with the selection, management and marketing of their purebred swine genetics. He attends all of the NSR shows throughout the year and travels to visit with breeders in his territory.

Clay Parrish graduated from the University of Saint Francis with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication. Purebred swine have been a part of Clay’s life from the beginning. Growing up in Edon, Ohio, on a purebred Duroc operation, Clay knew from a young age that he wanted to be involved in this industry.

"To give any less than your best is to sacrifice a gift"
— Steve Prefontaine

The National Swine Registry welcomed Lukas Ziegler as the Northwest Territory Field Representative. In his new role, Lukas works cross-functionally with the Eastern Region and Southwest Region Field Representatives and is responsible for the service of the membership of the Northwest portion of the United States servicing the membership through genetic consultation and selection, education about the NSR and its programs, and the general promotion of U.S. Duroc, Hampshire, Landrace, and Yorkshire breeds and their breeders to the collective swine industry.

Lukas is a graduate of Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas, where he earned a degree in Agricultural Education with an emphasis on Agriculture and Extension Leadership. While attending Texas Tech he was a member of the wool and meat judging teams. Lukas was also a key member of the 2015 National Champion Livestock Judging Team. He was also an active member of Block & Bridle and the Agricultural Council. Prior to working for NSR Lukas managed the small ruminant division at the West Virginia University research farm in Morgantown, WV before serving as the assistant livestock judging coach at Clarendon College in the Texas Panhandle.

Lukas first discovered his passion for agriculture on his families cow-calf operation located in Western Maryland. He is a former Jr. Fair Board member at the Maryland State Fair and is still active in working with junior livestock judging programs in the state. In his spare time Lukas is a passionate Red Raider sports fan, and enjoys the outdoors through hunting and fishing.

"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take."
— Wayne Gretzky

As the Internal Systems Manager, Steve oversees NSR office's internal systems such as computers, network systems, peripherals, etc. He also maintains the NSR website.

Steve attended Ball State University for graphic design and joined the NSR team, in 2006.

Steve and his wife, Wendy, reside in Mulberry, Ind. Steve enjoys reading, playing his Xbox, working on his home and cooking.

"Cinderella story, out of nowhere, former greens keeper, now about to become, the Masters champion." — Carl Spackler, Caddyshack

The National Swine Registry (NSR) welcomed Matt Fouts to the team, in early August, as the Software Developer/Database Manager. In his new role, Fouts will collaborate with several departments within NSR to develop web- and server-based applications with diverse purposes.

Fouts was raised in Seymour, IN. He attended Wabash College where he received a BA in Physics. He later attended Purdue University where he received a BS in Computer Science.

In his spare time, Matt enjoys golf and playing video and board games with friends..

"Live now; make now always the most precious time. Now will never come again."
— Jean-Luc Picard, Star Trek The Next Generation