Schneider and Hensley bring agricultural experience and fresh perspectives to membership services and breed improvement

OKLAHOMA CITY — The Red Angus Association of America (RAAA) recently welcomed two new employees to its Oklahoma City headquarters. Grace Schneider joins the association as Membership and Affiliate Programs Manager, while Jordyn Hensley steps into the role of Genomics Program Manager.

Both bring firsthand agricultural experience and a strong appreciation for the people behind the cattle industry. Their additions reflect RAAA's continued commitment to strengthening member services and investing in programs that help Red Angus producers succeed.

Grace Schneider, Membership and Affiliate Programs Manager

For Grace Schneider, agriculture has always been close to home. Raised in Andale, Kansas, Schneider grew up around her family's fourth-generation farming operation, where grain and hay production were part of everyday life. While her early years centered on crop production, an interest in the cattle industry took shape during her time at Kansas State University.

Schneider earned a degree in animal sciences and industry from Kansas State University, where she worked at the university's Beef Stocker Unit, assisting with research involving stocker calves. Following graduation, she gained additional experience working in dairy heifer development and feedlot operations.

Her career eventually led her to K-State Research and Extension, where she served as the agriculture and natural resources agent in Kingman County. There, she worked directly with producers, connecting them with university research and practical resources to support their operations.

Schneider joined RAAA on Nov. 2 and will oversee membership enrollment and renewals, provide account and billing support, and help strengthen the association's relationships with its members and affiliates. She will also focus on improving member engagement and helping producers better understand the resources available through RAAA.

"Grace brings a genuine passion for serving our members and a proactive approach to her work," said Halla Ramsey, RAAA executive director of operations. "She has already shown a willingness to take initiative and build relationships that make a difference. Her dedication to service aligns with the higher expectations we are setting for the member experience, and we look forward to seeing her use her previous experiences to strengthen those relationships and help move the association forward."

"Growing up around agriculture and gaining hands-on experience with cattle has given me a strong appreciation for the livestock industry and the people who make it successful," Schneider said. "I'm excited to be part of an organization that supports its members and works to strengthen the cattle industry."

Schneider also brings experience in banking and financial services, providing an additional perspective as she works to make membership processes more efficient and accessible.

Jordyn Hensley, Genomics Program Manager

Through a childhood spent on her family's livestock and crop operation in Galveston, Indiana, Jordyn Hensley found an interest in agriculture that eventually grew into a passion for the science behind cattle production.

Hensley earned her bachelor's degree in animal science from Purdue University in 2024 before completing a master's degree in animal science, with an emphasis in beef cattle reproductive physiology, at Oklahoma State University in May 2026.

During her graduate studies, Hensley researched how genetic selection for growth and maternal traits influences reproductive performance in beef females. Her work examined the relationship between sire expected progeny differences (EPDs) and the performance of daughters developed in a low-input management system.

Following graduate school, Hensley worked as an embryologist and semen laboratory technician, gaining practical experience with reproductive technologies while working alongside cattle producers.

Hensley joined RAAA on Oct. 26 and will oversee DNA testing operations and coordinate with laboratory partners to ensure members receive accurate, timely genomic information. She will also serve as a primary contact for members navigating the testing process and contribute to the association's broader breed improvement efforts.

Larry Keenan, RAAA Director of Breed Improvement, said the position plays an important role in helping breeders make informed decisions about their cattle.

"Accurate pedigrees and high-quality genomic data are essential to producing reliable EPDs," Keenan said. "Jordyn understands the science behind that information, but just as importantly, she recognizes the value it brings to producers. Her attention to detail and commitment to member service will be tremendous assets to our genomics program."

For Hensley, the opportunity represents a chance to put years of research and hands-on experience to work for the cattle industry.

"I've always appreciated the connection between the science behind livestock production and the people who work hard every day to improve their operations," Hensley said. "I'm excited to help make genomic information accessible and useful to the breeders who rely on it to make decisions for their herds."

With Schneider focused on strengthening the membership experience and Hensley supporting the continued advancement of genomic services, both will play important roles in the association's ongoing efforts to better serve Red Angus producers.

The Red Angus Association of America is a leading beef breed organization dedicated to advancing the Red Angus breed through genetic improvement and innovative programs that support the success of cattle producers. Founded in 1954, RAAA serves seedstock breeders and commercial cattlemen across the United States, providing genetic evaluation tools and industry resources designed to improve profitability throughout the beef production chain. For more information, visit RedAngus.org.