Leadership
Meet the people behind the State Beef Council.
Operating Committee
The Ohio Beef Council Operating Committee is composed of 15 Ohio beef producers appointed by the Ohio Director of Agriculture. The committee is responsible for guiding and approving the strategic investment of Beef Checkoff funds to strengthen demand for beef.
Becky Reed
Chairman, Springfield
Ben Seibert
Vice-Chairman, St. Marys
Susie Turner
Treasurer, Somerset
Mandy Atterholt
Loudonville
Emily Chester
Oregonia
Kim Davis
Carrollton
Mark Goecke
Spencerville
Lou Ellen Harr
Jeromesville
Rose Hartschuh
Sycamore
Cattlemen's Beef Board Representative
Shelly Dee Jepsen
Amanda
Ben Klick
Navarre
Em Mowrer, DVM
Barnesville
Jake Osborn
Lynchburg
Bill Sexten
Washington Court House
Erin Stickel
Bowling Green
Brian Baldridge
Director of Agriculture Ohio Department of Agriculture
Tracy Intihar
Assistant Director of Agriculture Ohio Department of Agriculture
Elizabeth Harsh
Executive Director
Interested in contacting a member of the Operating Committee?
Contact the Ohio Beef Council, and we’ll be happy to help connect you with the right person.
Staff
Ohio operates as a “two-hat” state, with a shared staff who work for both the Ohio Beef Council and the Ohio Cattlemen's Association. A strict firewall between the organizations maintains separation of policy and beef checkoff funds. This shared staffing model allows for efficient use of resources while supporting the distinct missions of each organization.
The Ohio Beef Council staff proudly serves Ohio’s cattle farmers through education, promotion, and community engagement—demonstrating the value of Ohio’s beef industry to consumers across the state. Through targeted outreach and programming, OBC staff also help communicate that beef is not only delicious, but a powerful ally in building healthy bodies, thriving communities, and a strong Ohio economy.
Staff members carefully track their time, which is allocated to the appropriate organization based on work performed. While some staff dedicate more time to Ohio Beef Council programs than others, this structure ensures transparency, accountability, and responsible stewardship of producer dollars.
Elizabeth Harsh
Executive Director
Elizabeth directs and coordinates all activities of the Ohio Beef Council and the Ohio Cattlemen’s Association. She is responsible for compliance with the Beef Checkoff Act & Order and for all OBC/OCA financial statements. She hires and supervises all OBC/OCA staff.
Contact Elizabeth
Ron Windnagel
Director of Accounting & Operations
Ron is responsible for all fiscal activities for Ohio Beef Council, Ohio Cattlemen’s Association, Ohio Cattleman Magazine and Ohio Cattlemen’s Foundation. He generates all monthly financial statements and assists in preparing the annual budget for each entity. For the checkoff, he records all remittances, Ohio and out-of-state, makes deposits and is responsible for facilitating the council’s required annual independent audit.
Contact Ron
Tiffany Arnett
Office & Project Manager
Tiffany manages daily tasks, including reception and mailings, scheduling, general organization, and Ohio’s Beef Quality Assurance program. She records checkoff deposits, processes membership and assists in event coordination and planning. Tiffany coordinates the Ohio Beef Expo Trade Show.
Contact Tiffany
Anna Gest, MS, RDN, LD
Manager of Nutrition Education Programs
Anna builds relationships with Ohio’s health professionals and disseminates information on nutrition and health issues. She regularly presents beef nutrition information to dietetic students, as well as practicing health professionals, and helps coordinate on-farm visits for members of the nutrition community.
Contact Anna
Kelly Keirn
Director of Consumer programs & Digital Marketing
Kelly provides oversight and implementation of digital, social media, and visual content planning. She engages with media, industry, and consumer food influencers and guides advertising, retail, and foodservice programs. Kelly manages outside partners and interns, and coordinates events and consumer displays.
Kristen Rappold
Manager of Youth Education & Development Programs
Responsible for developing and implementing educational opportunities for youth beyond the showring with a focus on beef industry career opportunities and youth education. Her position collaborates to tell the beef story and enhances beef’s image through curriculum and program participation and serves as the Youth Council advisor.
Contact Kristen
Hannah Weymouth
Director of Communications & Managing Editor
Hannah coordinates all producer communications to keep beef checkoff remitters informed on how their checkoff funds are invested to build beef demand. She is the managing editor for the Ohio Cattleman magazine and coordinates all OCA communications, both internal and external.
Contact Hannah
Zane Gross
Manager of Member Services & Industry Education
Zane delivers valuable beef industry education, including Beef Quality Assurance and meat science information to both producer and youth audiences. For OCA he manages all member services and focuses on association revenue development efforts.
Contact Zane