Coming Home to New Beginnings

by Aly Francis

When I walked across the stage at Oklahoma State University to receive my diploma and then made my final drive out of Stillwater, Oklahoma I couldn’t help but feel sad to leave behind the memories from best four years of my life. Although it felt like I was making another trip home for the summer, I knew I wouldn’t be back as an OSU student in the upcoming fall. The countless friends and bonus family I made, the long nights spent studying or writing in Edmon Low Library, and the weekends of dancing at Outlaws were all in my review mirror. However, as I kept driving and crossed the Oklahoma/Missouri state line, I also felt excited and at peace because I was coming home and starting a new chapter in my life.

As of June 5, 2023, I have officially begun my new journey as the manager of strategic solutions for the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association based in the association’s headquarters office in Columbia, Missouri. I am a recent graduate of Oklahoma State University where I majored in animal science and agricultural communications. While attending college, I was a member of the Oklahoma Collegiate Cattlewomen and then served as the 2021-2022 vice president as well as 2020-2021 state liaison.

I am no stranger to the cattle industry or MCA as I grew up on a diversified livestock operation consisting of sheep and a commercial cow/calf operation in Paris, Missouri. I quickly became involved with my local

Manager of Strategic Solutions

Monroe-Shelby County Cattlemen’s Association by serving ribeye sandwiches at events and attending monthly board meetings. Through my local involvement, I was fortunate to receive a scholarship to attend the Missouri Junior Cattlemen’s Youth Industry Tour in Northwest Missouri.

From then on, I was hooked and continued my involvement through being a Missouri Junior Cattlemen’s Association member, serving on the MJCA junior board, interning in the summer of 2021, as well as volunteering myself for numerous MCA events over the years. The cattlemen and women of Missouri have always made me feel right at home and that is why I chose to come back home to Missouri to serve in a new capacity as the manager of strategic solutions. I will be responsible for non-dues revenue, serve the Missouri Beef Cattleman publication, and manage overall association communications.

I was blessed to grow up in the cattle industry, and I am excited to join the team of hardworking individuals here at MCA to ensure Missouri’s cattle producers’ voices are heard through various communication efforts. I appreciate this important opportunity and look forward to this new beginning in my life.