National Swine Registry

NJSA

Leadership

Apply to be on the NJSA Junior Board of Directors
Board members serve the NJSA in local, regional and national activities.
They work hard to educate, motivate and inspire current and potential NJSA members, swine breeders, parents, civic and community leaders, teachers, and leaders in business and industry. Read below to find out more information on how to become a NJSA board member!

Applicant letter
Candidate application
Becoming a NJSA director
Handbook excerpts for applicants

President Lynsee Shaffer

Albany, Ind.

Lynsee Shaffer, 21, is a junior at Purdue University, studying agricultural education and agribusiness.

As a nine-year NJSA member, Shaffer has attended numerous NJSA shows, participating in showmanship, skillathon and judging contests and barnyard olympics and has attended the past four NYLCs. She is a member of the NJSA leadership committee and the MVP program.

Shaffer was a member of the Butler County Community College livestock judging team and Phi Theta Kappa. She is an active member of the Indiana Junior Swine Circuit and co-owns Shaffer Sister Showpigs.

“I have a great desire to be a larger part of the impact that this great organization plays on its junior members,” Shaffer says.

Shaffer would like to see increased NJSA member involvement through ice-breaker games and speaker events. She also would encourage an informational session before many contests for new participants.

Top | Rebecca Bailey | Jordan Brockhaus | Alicia Keller | Lynsee Shaffer | Bailey Albright | Hallie Frobose | Charlie Hensy | Miles Toenyes | Ryan Hoelscher

Vice President Jordan Brockhaus

Tuttle, Okla.

Jordan Brockhaus, 20, is a junior at Oklahoma State University (OSU), majoring in agribusiness with a marketing minor.

As a 10-year NJSA member, she has participated in many NJSA shows and five NYLCs.

At OSU, she participates in the National Panhellenic Council, Ag Council and Student Today Alumni Tomorrow.

She has also volunteered with the Highland Park Reading Buddies and Oklahoma State Fair Ag-tropolis.

“I learned very early in life that it’s not what you receive, but what you give that gives you the most gratification,” Brockhaus says. “I have found in my other leadership roles the value of touching one life comes back tenfold.”

Brockhaus would like to increase promotion of NJSA winners through additional press releases and photos. She also would like to see a showmanship clinic held the day before a show for education and networking.

Top | Rebecca Bailey | Jordan Brockhaus | Alicia Keller | Lynsee Shaffer | Bailey Albright | Hallie Frobose | Charlie Hensy | Miles Toenyes | Ryan Hoelscher

Secretary Charlie Hensy

Newkirk, Okla.

Charlie Hensy, 20, is a junior at Howard College, studying agricultural education.

In the past four years, Hensy has competed in judging, showmanship and skillathon contests and swine shows at the World Pork Expo, NJSS and Southwest Regional.

He has been a leader in 4-H and FFA, serving as his 4-H club reporter and FFA chapter president. He competed in FFA livestock judging and played baseball and football.

“I want to give back to the NJSA by making a difference in kids' lives," Hensy says.

Hensy plans to focus on increasing membership and creating several regional leadership conferences with workshops for speech, judging and showmanship.

Top | Rebecca Bailey | Jordan Brockhaus | Alicia Keller | Lynsee Shaffer | Bailey Albright | Hallie Frobose | Charlie Hensy | Miles Toenyes | Ryan Hoelscher

At-Large Director Miles Toenyes

Highland, Ill.

Miles Toenyes, 18, of Highland, Ill., is a sophomore at Lake Land College (LLC), majoring in agricultural business.

Toenyes joined the NJSA in 2004 and has served on several committees and teams that help coordinate shows. He has also encouraged and convinced many Illinois youth to participate in NJSA activities.

He served as his 4-H club president from 2004-2008 and was president of his high school FFA chapter. He was also a member of the St. Louis Area Young Achiever Board for two years. At LLC, Toenyes is a member of the livestock judging team and is president of the ag club.

“Growing up, I have always enjoyed showing pigs and traveling around the country to do it,” he says. “I want to give back to the NJSA and the people who support it for what they have given to me.”

Toenyes wants to make increasing membership a primary goal. He believes this can be accomplished by personal contact with future members through phone calls or letters inviting them to the next NJSA event. He also believes in putting together an event that will help members prepare for the skillathon and judging contests.

Top | Rebecca Bailey | Jordan Brockhaus | Alicia Keller | Lynsee Shaffer | Bailey Albright | Hallie Frobose | Charlie Hensy | Miles Toenyes | Ryan Hoelscher

Central Director Bailey Albright

Coldwater, Mich.

Bailey Albright, 20, of Coldwater, Mich., is a junior at Michigan State University (MSU) with hopes of someday becoming a legislative liaison for the livestock and swine industries.

While attending many NJSA shows, Albright has participated in the skillathon, judging and showmanship contests, and the gilt show. She has attended the NJSS since 2001 and has earned top-10 finishes in showmanship, skillathon and several gilt classes. In 2008, she was awarded the Darrell Anderson Leadership Award. Her most recent NJSA involvement is with the Mentoring Values People (MVP) program.

Albright was active in 4-H and FFA throughout high school and served as the 2007-2008 Michigan FFA Region 1 State Vice President. At MSU, she is president of the Collegiate Farm Bureau and professional chair of Sigma Alpha, and is a member of Block & Bridle, Collegiate FFA and the judging team.

“This organization has given me many opportunities to grow and learn, and I would like nothing more than to be able to give those opportunities to younger members,” she says. “The NJSA has many great attributes, and I would like to help expand upon those, as well as create new ones.”

If elected, Albright would like to create added leadership opportunities for NJSA members. She believes that committee work can be better utilized to increase membership growth. Albright would like to see increased contact with younger members to give them a glimpse of what leadership opportunities lie ahead of them within the NJSA.

Top | Rebecca Bailey | Jordan Brockhaus | Alicia Keller | Lynsee Shaffer | Bailey Albright | Hallie Frobose | Charlie Hensy | Miles Toenyes | Ryan Hoelscher

Eastern Director Hallie Frobose

Pemberville, Ohio

Hallie Frobose, 19, of Pemberville, Ohio, is a sophomore animal science/pre-vet major at Butler Community College (BCC).

Frobose has exhibited at several NJSA shows, as well as participating in the skillathon and judging contests. She became passionate about the NJSA last year when she attended her first leadership conference in San Antonio, Texas. With her newfound interest in the organization, she is now seeking placement on the board of directors.

She has held numerous leadership positions in 4-H and FFA and has served as a junior fair board member, an Ohio Pork Ambassador and a Wood County Beef Producers member. At BCC, she is a member of the livestock judging team, the ag club and Phi Theta Kappa.

“I want to share my enthusiasm, passion and knowledge of the swine industry with the country’s youth and help them understand that 4-H and especially the NJSA is not about blue ribbons, but instead it is about learning how to produce a healthy, palatable product that has been properly cared for,” she says. “We have to make sure our members are not just showmen, but also stockmen.”

If elected, Frobose would like to see additional leadership conferences with more speakers and opinions about current industry issues. She would also like to see increased involvement at the state level. Frobose also believes in adding more informational seminars and contests that require exhibitors to have a greater understanding of the industry.

Top | Rebecca Bailey | Jordan Brockhaus | Alicia Keller | Lynsee Shaffer | Bailey Albright | Hallie Frobose | Charlie Hensy | Miles Toenyes | Ryan Hoelscher

Eastern Director Alicia Keller

Corfu, N.Y.

Alicia Keller, 18, of Corfu, N.Y., is a sophomore at Purdue University who plans to someday pursue a career in the agriculture industry.

Keller, a four-year NJSA member, has shown at the Eastern Regional, Southeast Regional and NJSS. She has participated in three NYLCs and currently serves as a MVP mentor. She was awarded the 2008 NJSA Outstanding Member senior scholarship and the 2009 Darrell Anderson Leadership Award.

She serves as a member of the Genesee County 4-H youth development committee and is involved as a collegiate facilitator for the National 4-H Conference. At Purdue, she is a member of the Agriculture Council, the Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow Community Service Committee and Collegiate 4-H.

“I would like to share the skills and knowledge that I have gained as a result of involvement, while working hard to give back and improve the agriculture industry,” she says. “The future of the swine industry and agriculture lies in the hands of today’s youth, and I would like to take an active role in influencing these youth through the NJSA.”

Keller’s ideas to improve the NJSA include adding a program that encourages youth to pursue careers in agriculture and the swine industry. She would also like to see increased participation efforts focused toward the eastern region. Lastly, she would like to see leadership opportunities and the MVP program continually expanded.

Top | Rebecca Bailey | Jordan Brockhaus | Alicia Keller | Lynsee Shaffer | Bailey Albright | Hallie Frobose | Charlie Hensy | Miles Toenyes | Ryan Hoelscher

Southwest Director Ryan Hoelscher

Hereford, Texas

Ryan Hoelscher, 18, is a senior at Vega High School. After graduating, he plans to attend college to study agricultural engineering.

Hoelscher has helped with set up, contests and selling merchandise at several NJSA shows since he was 9. He has won NJSS Herdsman of the Year and Workhorse awards for his efforts.

As a 10-year 4-H member, Hoelscher has been club president, state 4-H council member and state swine record competition winner. He has also been involved with Student Council, band, basketball and drama.

“As NJSA members, we are a vital part of the future of the purebred swine industry and the NSR,” Hoelscher says. “(By attending the NYLC), I learned how important it is to have good public relations with the general public.”

Hoelscher wants to see the NJSA identity publicized, especially in his home state of Texas.

His ideas include distributing information at shows, encouraging members to wear NJSA shirts and conducting drawings for NJSA apparel.

Top | Rebecca Bailey | Jordan Brockhaus | Alicia Keller | Lynsee Shaffer | Bailey Albright | Hallie Frobose | Charlie Hensy | Miles Toenyes | Ryan Hoelscher

Western Director Rebecca Bailey

Turlock, Calif.

Rebecca Bailey, 18, of Turlock, Calif., is a sophomore animal science major at Modesto Junior College (MJC).

Bailey’s first NJSA experience was at the Western Regional six years ago. She has since competed in the skillathon and showmanship contests, has attended three NYLCs and serves on the show team committee.

She has held numerous leadership positions in her local 4-H and FFA chapters and is currently working on achieving her American FFA Degree. At MJC, she is the freshman chairman for the annual Senior Day and the MJC field day livestock judging contest. She is also a member of the MJC Young Farmers Club and the MJC Ag Ambassadors.

“I would like to utilize the leadership skills I have gained as a member and help to support the NJSA in any way possible,” she says. “Every day the pork industry is faced with challenges, and we need to stand together to face these challenges. We need leaders who are knowledgeable and passionate, and I believe the NJSA produces a lot of these leaders.”

Bailey would like to see the NJSA add state representatives to reach out to more youth and boost membership. These state contacts would then be in charge of informational and promotional activities at NJSA functions.

Top | Rebecca Bailey | Jordan Brockhaus | Alicia Keller | Lynsee Shaffer | Bailey Albright | Hallie Frobose | Charlie Hensy | Miles Toenyes | Ryan Hoelscher