board of director Candidates
Mark Ahearn
Texas
Mark Ahearn of Wills Point, Texas, grew up on a small family farm, lost to the untimely death of his father. Mark’s mother moved the family to town. Mark was active in 4-H and had the vision he would return to agriculture. Mark started his 35-year career in law enforcement in the mid-1980s as a street cop with the Dallas Police Department. He spent the last 15 years of his career as a homicide detective. Retired for seven years, he now dedicates his life to managing his cow herd. Mark met his wife of 35 years, Cindy, on the job. They have two children, Brad and Megan, and three granddaughters. They purchased land in East Texas in the mid-1990s, establishing Turner Meadow Ranch. Mark was elected president of Texas Angus Association in 2013 and again in 2019. Mark has served as a delegate to the AAA® Annual Convention for more than 25 years. Within the AAA® Board of Directors these last three years, he has served on several committees and entity boards.
Smitty Lamb
Georgia
Smitty Lamb attended the University of Georgia (UGA), earning a bachelor’s degree in animal science in 1990 and a master’s degree in meats and muscle biology in 1993. His graduate research focused on growth and composition using implants in stocker and finishing cattle, as well as enzymatic tenderness research in beef cattle. Smitty started his career with the UGA Cooperative Extension Service as a county Extension agent; working with the Georgia Department of Education as an area livestock teacher; and currently as a cotton merchant, merchandising cotton for a large commodity trading company. In 1997 he, along with his cousin Clint Smith and their families, purchased three Angus females — and Ogeechee Angus Farm was born, fulfilling a lifelong dream. During his first term, Smitty served on the several committees. He also served two terms on the Board of Angus Productions Inc. (API). He is currently a member of the Certified Angus Beef (CAB) Board of Directors and is chairman of the Board of Angus Genetics Inc. (AGI). Smitty and his wife, SuzAnne, are blessed with a growing family.
Charles Mogck
South Dakota
Charles Mogck is a third-generation Angus breeder in South Dakota. His grandfather, Adolph Mogck, was the first to have Angus cattle in the area and joined the American Angus Association in 1945 as Mogck Angus. Charles’s dad, Duane, later joined AAA® under the membership of Mogck & Sons Angus, which Charles and his family continue today. As a child, with his dad’s help, Charles slowly increased his Angus herd and showed in 4-H, and state, regional and national Angus junior shows. In 1982 Charles started college at South Dakota State University (SDSU). He graduated with a double major in animal science and ag business. After college, his first job was as a loan officer. Six months later, he was offered a job closer to home with First State Bank. As his family grew and the workload on the farm grew, he decided to go back to the thing he loved most — raising Angus cattle. Charles’s family includes his wife of 36 years, LeAndra, and his children, Christina (Logan), Chase and Ty. His children have shared Charles’ love and success for showing Angus.
Darrell Stevenson
Montana
Darrell grew up exhibiting Angus cattle. He was actively involved with 4-H, FFA and the Montana Junior Angus Association. His growing Angus herd was selected as Montana’s top 4-H beef project. He attended Montana State University then transferred to and graduated from Oklahoma State University. After college, Darrell returned to the home ranch in Hobson to pursue his dream of raising Angus cattle. He met his wife, Sara, while exporting heifers to Japan in the late 1980s. She was tail-bleeding, and he was filling the alley. Their first date was a bull sale before marrying in 1995. They have two children, CJ and Claire. Darrell is a proud founding member of Origen and has served on that board of directors since 2001. In 2010, Darrell and two Russian businessmen formed an international beef venture between the two countries. The project was a pioneering marvel for vertical integration and establishing an Angus beef industry in Russia. Darrell has overseen shipments to Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. In addition, he has participated in four World Angus Forums and attended additional Angus events in New Zealand, Argentina and Canada.
Jerry Theis
Kansas
Jerry Theis is a devoted second-generation Angus breeder and lifetime member of the American Angus Association from Leavenworth, Kan. April Valley Farms is a diversified family operation consisting of Angus cattle, as well as row crop and swine production. It was recognized as a historic Angus herd in 2019. Growing up, Jerry was involved with 4-H and youth livestock shows as an exhibitor of Angus cattle and swine. He graduated with a doctorate of veterinary medicine from Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1991. After graduation, he returned home to the local veterinary clinic in order to stay active in the family operation. He has told many people he considers himself “an Angus breeder with a DVM.” He has been active in the Kansas Angus Association and has served on the AAA® Credentials Committee for 10 years. He and wife, Tonya, just completed their second term serving as Kansas Junior Angus Association advisors. Jerry and Tonya have four children: Cody, Michael, Megan and Kelsey. All have been involved in the NJAA, the KJAA, FFA and 4-H.