American Angus Auxiliary gathers for annual events this year in Kansas City

The American Angus Auxiliary is a network of like-minded women with shared enthusiasm for the Angus breed and its future generations. Members are scattered across the country and reflect nearly every demographic in the cattle business.

Recently the group of volunteer leaders gathered for annual activities, held in conjunction with the first-ever Angus Means Business National Convention and Trade Show Nov. 4-6 in Kansas City. The Auxiliary hosted the organization’s Annual Meeting, Annual Breakfast, the Miss American Angus competition, and many other social events.

“The week of the Annual Meeting is always a special time,” says Lynne Hinrichsen, incoming president of the American Angus Auxiliary. “Not only do we have our Annual Meeting, where the membership comes in and takes care of our business for the last year and the coming year, but we also get to visit and get to know each other better through receptions and other activities.”

During the Auxiliary’s Annual Meeting on Nov. 4, the group elected the 2014-2015 officers and regional directors. Members of the newly-elected officer team are: President Lynne Hinrichsen, Westmoreland, Kan.; President-elect Carla Malson, Parma, Idaho; Secretary-Treasurer Julie Murnin, Huntley, Mont.; and Advisor Cortney Holshouser, Castalia, N.C.

The newly elected president, Lynne Hinrichsen, has served as president of the Kansas Angus Auxiliary, regional director for the American Angus Auxiliary, and is a member of the American Angus Association and Kansas Angus Association. Along with her husband, Ron, and children, Cale and Eva, the Hinrichsen family raises Angus cattle on R&L Angus in Westmoreland, Kan.

The upcoming president-elect is Carla Malson. Together with her husband, Mark, their family manages the Malson Angus and Herefords operation. Malson has served as advisor for the Idaho and Western States Junior Angus Associations, and president of the Western States Angus Auxiliary.

Members are also proud to welcome Secretary-Treasurer Julie Murnin of Huntley, Mont. She is a past regional director for the Auxiliary and a member of the Montana Angus Auxiliary, serving as the vice president. She and her husband, Jared, are advisors for the Montana Junior Angus Association, and they have two children, Claire and Cooper.

The retiring president, Cortney Holshouser, hails from Castalia, N.C. She has served as an officer of the North Carolina Angus Auxiliary, and she and her husband, Karl, have been advisors to the North Carolina Junior Angus Association. Together, they manage Castalia Cattle Company where they offer custom flush and embryo transfer work.

The Auxiliary’s 2014 Regional Directors are: Region 1, Kathy Dubs, Montana; Region 2, Cindy Ahearn, Texas; Region 3, Shally Rogen, South Dakota; Region 4, Melanie Kiani, Mississippi; Region 5, Rachel Frost, Illinois; and Region 6, Marlene Dukehart, Maryland. Regional Directors are a source for information for interested members throughout the country.

“We come from all different types of backgrounds. Anyone who has a passion for the Angus breed, helping youth and just being involved with a great organization that showcases the camaraderie of women is welcome to join our group,” Hinrichsen says.

Continuing an annual tradition

The Auxiliary hosted their Annual Breakfast Nov. 5 in the KCI Expo Center, just prior to the day’s National Angus Convention events. Nearly 300 people enjoyed the meal, which featured the Certified Angus Beef brand, followed by entertainment by the BassLine Quartet of Saint Joseph, Mo.

North Carolina was in the spotlight during the event, as the Auxiliary paid tribute to Cortney Holshouser, retiring president, and her home state. Each attendee was given a handmade plate that was made in North Carolina and etched with an Angus calf. Even the table decorations offered a hint of North Carolina – cotton balls and tobacco roses made from cured tobacco leaves were included in the flower arrangements to represent the state’s agricultural background.

In addition, the 2014 Miss American Angus, Catherine Harward, addressed the crowd on her year of service to the Angus breed.

The Angus Gift Barn is also a popular fundraiser for the Auxiliary each year, and National Angus Convention participants enjoy shopping their newest items for sale. Angus clothing, jewelry, household items, framed prints and much more were available for purchase in Kansas City.

“The Angus Gift Barn is really our largest fundraiser for the Auxiliary,” Hinrichsen says. “That money goes toward scholarships, awards and the programs we support for junior Angus members. Here in Kansas City, we’ve had a very successful week for Gift Barn sales.”

For more news from the Angus Means Business National Convention and Trade Show, visit www.angusconvention.com.