Each year, members of the Red Angus Association of America (RAAA) elect their fellow breeders to serve the RAAA and continue to advance its mission. This year, members elected Kim Ford, Bertrand, Neb., to serve as the 30th president of the RAAA.

Ford and her husband Scott own and operate Cross Diamond Cattle Co. where they raise equal numbers of registered and commercial Red Angus cattle.  As president, Ford brings both insight and experience from her own business to the Board as well as the continued family tradition of supporting the Red Angus breed. Both her parents served on the RAAA Board of Directors, and her mother was the first female to serve as RAAA president.

“It is truly an honor and privilege to serve as the president of the RAAA,” Ford said. “This is a breed built with a focus on commercial beef production and performance, and it is backed by great people with a commitment to those founding principles.”

The following individuals were also elected to serve on this year’s Board of Directors:

Area III Rocky Mountain Director Kevin Miller of Briggsdale, Colo., was elected by the Board of Directors to serve as first vice-president, and Region A Director Bob Morton of Three Forks, Mont., was chosen as second vice-president.

Connie Mushrush of Strong City, Kan., was elected as Region B Director. Mushrush, a graduate of Kansas State University, operates Mushrush Red Angus alongside her husband Joe, their oldest son, Daniel, and his wife, and Joe’s parents, Robert and Oma Lou. Mushrush is committed to ensuring that beef is viable, available and affordable for consumers and suppliers world-wide.

Steve Koester of Steele, N.D., was elected to the Area V - Northern Plains director seat. A fifth-generation rancher, Koester owns and operates Koester Red Angus alongside his wife Tracey, and their two teenage daughters, Kacey and Shaye. Koester has been a member of the Promotions Committee for six years and served eight years as a director for the North Dakota Stockmen’s Association.

Newley Hutchison of Canton, Okla., was elected as Area VI - Great Plains Director. Hutchison plays a major role in the management of Chain Ranch. The six-generation family-owned-and-operated business was started by his great, great grandfather in 1893 and has since grown to encompass 10 ranches in Oklahoma and Kansas as well as several leased properties. Hutchison is also currently the vice president of the Oklahoma Red Angus Association.

Others serving on the RAAA Board include: Area I – West Director Leonard Wood of Sandpoint, Idaho; Area II – Montana Director Bruce Ketchum of Plevna, Mont.; Area IV-Southwest Director Kyley DeVoe of Justin, Texas; Area VII – Northeast Director John Langdon of Benson, N.C.; Area VIII – Southeast Director Raymond Prescott of Gray Court, S.C.; Area IX – Midwest Director Kurt Rich of Vinton, Iowa; and Region C Director Johnny Rogers of Roxboro, N.C.