Developing leaders through friendship, networking, and communication skills!

by Walker Housley, AJSA president

The American Junior Simmental Association, aka the real AJSA, and the place I call home, has meant more to me than I can put into words. I still remember attending my first ever AJSA Regional Classic in 2016, and since that miserably hot week in June, my life has never been the same. I made myself a promise then, that I would never miss another AJSA event. So, every summer we packed our trailer and headed to a new location across the United States to meet new friends, catch up with old ones, and build unmatched connections and skills.

As I got older, I looked for ways to give back to the Association that gave so much to me, and I couldn’t think of a better way than to run for the AJSA Board of Trustees. So, in 2020, I ran and was elected as an Eastern Region trustee in Grand Island, Nebraska. This is when my life was really changed. Not only has the AJSA Board allowed me to give back to the Association, but it has helped me build priceless leadership experiences and make numerous industry connections that I would never have had otherwise. Most importantly, though, I have met some of my best friends on the AJSA Board.

Some of whom have retired or aged out completely, and others still very much influential members within the Association. Regardless, my time on the AJSA Board has been more than I could have ever imagined.

That’s why this summer, I was honored to be elected by my peers as the newest AJSA President. I am looking forward to an incredible year serving with a phenomenal board to make the future of the AJSA even brighter. I believe that leadership isn’t a position of authority, but moreover an action and an example. Leadership is the ability to get in the trenches, harmonize the strengths of those around you, and push everyone for the greater good of themselves, the Association, and the beef industry as a whole.

While the board and I have many goals for the upcoming year, one of my main aspirations for the AJSA is to continue to strive for the excellence of our youth. The AJSA is one of the only breed associations where kids do not have to have the champion heifer to have success. The AJSA believes in ambition and hard work to allow for youth to catapult themselves into successful positions by competing in numerous educational contests. While I am as big an advocate for competitive cattle shows as any, at the end of the day my goal is that we do not lose sight of the bigger picture. The future of the AJSA is luminous, and there is no better time to breed ’em all Simmental. So, jump on board, the best is yet to come. .

2024–2025 American Junior Simmental Association Board of Trustees

Eastern Region

Carter Hall Ripley, WV 304-373-8427 chall1221@gmail.com

Walker Housley Dayton, TN 423-599-8346 walkerhousley@gmail.com

North Central Region

Noah Goss Kanopolis, KS 785-810-8636 noahggoss@gmail.com

Emerson Tarr LeRoy, IL 309-205-0860 eleetarr2021@gmail.com

South Central Region

Hallie Hackett Texarkana, TX 903-556-6758 halliehack10101@gmail.com

Anna Sweat McCaskill, AR 870-200-7600 anna.sweat.06@gmail.com

Western Region

Aribella Beins Deweyville, UT 435-452-2391 bella.beins@gmail.com

At-Large

Ella Fischer St. Joseph, MO 816-261-5991 ellafischer24@gmail.com

Chase Harker Hope, IN 812-603-5371 chaseharker1902@gmail.com

Cecillia Newby Oswego, KS 620-717-8018 kstatetd@gmail.com

Anna Webel Farmington, IL 309-351-9223 anna.g.webel@gmail.com