NSRSTAFF

Mike serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the NSR. His 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. Mike 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. He serves as a great resource for the staff, for exhibitors and breeders in the purebred swine industry.

Mike and Sue have a daughter, Jamie and have been blessed with a granddaughter, Nicole

"Success is uncommon, therefore not to be enjoyed by the common man. I’m looking for the uncommon people." — Cal Stoll

As the Vice President of Member Outreach and Youth Development, Zwilling is involved with various functions of all NSR departmental efforts; however, he 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.

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 Global Technical Service 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

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

Taran started part time in August 2014. In June 2015, she accepted a full time position with the registry and added Duroc pedigrees to her list of responsibilities.

Taran is a graduate of Purdue University, where she majored in Organizational Leadership and Supervision. When she’s not at the office, Taran enjoys reading, baking and spending time with her friends and family. She and her husband have two dogs and a cat that keep them busy.

"Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new." — Albert Einstein

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

As the Director of Marketing & Communications, Steve oversees the department's staff in the production of Seedstock EDGE, social media content and the production of print materials for other departments and members of the NSR. 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

Cassie serves as the Social Media Coordinator and Assistant Editor. 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

The responsibilities Ellen holds as the Director of Junior Shows oversees the largest youth livestock association in the country, the National Junior Swine Association (NJSA). She manages the partnerships of the NJSA and leads the long-term planning and growth of the organization. Her responsibilities include organizing regional and national shows for youth members.  Ellen started with the NSR as the Junior Activities Coordinator in 2014.

Prior to joining the NSR team, Ellen attended Lake Land College and the University of Illinois. She judged livestock at both schools and was an active member of the Hoof N’ Horn club. The youngest of the Olson siblings, she has a brother, Blane, and a sister, Mary Link. Ellen and her husband, Kyle, enjoy raising pigs together.

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

Austin joined the National Swine Registry team May 2018 as the Director of Education and Outreach. Alan works cross-functionally with the Director of Development and 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.  

Austin attends Iowa State University where he will receive his bachelor's degree in agricultural business. While attending Iowa State, he is involved in the Agricultural Business Club, the Bacon Expo and the Block & Bridle Club. Prior to attending Iowa State, Austin attended Glen Oaks Community College in Centreville, Michigan, and obtained his Associates of Business degree. During this time, he was also a member of the Team Purebred Junior Board and was involved in his family's feed distributorship and showpig operation.

Showing livestock across the country with his family is one of Pueschel's favorite things to do. Growing up in the industry really shaped and transformed his love for agriculture and for everyone involved within the industry. Pueschel is excited to share his passion with the breeders, youth and families of the industry and is looking forward to an awesome adventure with the NSR.

"You've got what it takes, but it will take everything you've got." — Author Unknown

Serving as the Field Representative of the Northwestern region of the U.S., Michael 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.

Michael holds degrees from Northeastern Junior College and Colorado State University as well as his master’s degree from Angelo State University in animal science. He was a member of the judging team at Northeastern and CSU.

Before working for NSR, Michael was the Youth Extension Specialist for Douglas County Colorado. He was the Pavilion Coordinator and Livestock Judging coach at Northwestern College.  He was responsible for the college’s farm and meat lab, and coached the highly competitive judging team.

"The only time success comes before work is in the dictionary." — Vince Lombardi

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 (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, playing video and board games with friends, and spending time with his wife.

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