The 49th Annual Nebraska One Box Pheasant Hunt starts this Thursday and continues through the weekend. This year seven new teams will take part in the hunt. Among those participating are Lt. Govenor, Rick Sheehy, 1st Vice President of the NRA, Ronald Schmeits, 2nd Vice President of the NRA, Dave Keene and the Chairman of Legal Affairs for the NRA, James W. Porter II. The Nebraska One Box Hunt is dedicated to improving the quality of life in Central Nebraska by promoting fellowship among sportmen and supporting the creation of habitat for wildlife. The organization has also been instrumental in funding scholarships for local youth and for the creation of the One Box Gun Club. In fact, according to Jamie Anderson, Chairman of the Ladies One Box Board, $10,000 in scholarships were given away to local youth last year alone.
As for the hunt itself, the first Nebraska One Box Pheasant Hunt was held in 1961. The organizers designed the hunt as a vehicle to attract people to Broken Bow. Since that time, the hunt has evolved into one of the country's finest hunts.
The Pheasant Hunt is based on team competition. Each year, seven 5-man teams compete and are allowed only one box of shells (25).
Over the years, our community has been honored to have hosted a wide variety of dignitaries, celebrities, artists, astronauts and athletes who have participated in the hunt.
Schedule of Events for 2009
Thursday, November 5th
1 – 4:00 p.m. - Trap and Skeet Ranges Open for Practice at the One Box Shooting Complex Located 5 miles Southwest of Broken Bow on Ryno Road ($5.00 / Round)
5:30 p.m. - New Team Reception at Huckleberry's Hideout/Elks Building (625 S.10th or 2 blocks S.on Hwy 2 & 10 th St.)
6:30 p.m. - Past Shooter Appreciation Festivities at Huckleberry's Hideout / Elks Building
8:00 p.m. - New Team Introductions, Drawing for Guides, Scorekeepers and Dog Handlers
Friday, November 6th
8 – 11a.m. - Registration and Continental Breakfast at the One Box Shooting Complex
(REGISTRATION STOPS EXACTLY at 11:00 am)
8:30 am – Noon - Trap Shoot and Sporting Clays (New Shooters)
9 – 3 p.m. - Sporting Clays Range (Open all day for Past Shooters) Past Shooter Sporting Clays Competition (Re-Entry allowed in Sporting Clays)
(LAST SQUAD OUT AT 3:00 pm)
12:00 Noon - Lunch for New Team Members and Past Shooters
(One Box Shooting Complex)
12:30 p.m. - Poker Run & Style Show – Meet and Greet at Bonfire Grill (509 S. 9th Ave)
1:30 – 3:30 p.m. - Trap Shoot (Past Shooters)
5 – 7:00 p.m. - Host Family Receptions (Various Locations)
Formal Dress-Sport/Bush Coat & Tie
*All teams are asked to arrive early for team pictures with the hosts. Additional information will be provided later by host family.
7:30 p.m. - Dinner and Auction (Municipal Building – 314 S. 10th Ave.) Formal Dress-Sport/Bush Coat & Tie
Saturday, November 7th
5:30 a.m. - Breakfast for New Teams & Past Shooter Wild Bird Teams (Paddock Building - Fairgrounds)
7:00 a.m. - Hunt begins at sunrise – New Teams
Hunt begins for Past Shooter Wild Bird Teams
7:15 a.m. - Breakfast for Past Shooters Released Bird Teams (Paddock Building - Fairgrounds)
9:00 a.m. - Hunt Begins for Past Shooters Released Bird Teams
11:30 a.m. - Ladies Luncheon
The Hit Musical “Hot Flashes” Performed by Seventh Stage Productions out of Hastings, NE (Municipal Building)
4:00 p.m. - SHARP Hunt Ends
4:30 p.m. - Bird Check In and Team Pictures at One Box Park (After 5:30 Teams are Disqualified)
7:00 p.m. - Victory Banquet with announcement & presentation of awards (Municipal Building)
Formal Dress – Sport/Bush Coat & Tie
Sunday, November 8th
8:00 a.m. - Breakfast at the Broken Bow Country Club - Located at 2280 Memorial Drive
New Past Shooters Orientation
*We encourage all New Shooters and Past Shooters to attend the Orientation
Teams Participating and Bios
The Nebraska Team - Captained by Lt. Governor, Rick Sheehy – appointed Lieutenant Governor by Nebraska's 39th Governor, Dave Heineman and was sworn into office on January 24th, 2005. Rick is a native of Hastings and upon receiving certification as a paramedic from Central Community College he worked for Rural/Metro Ambulance for more than 20 years, starting in 1982 as an emergency medical technician. He became Rural/Metro's paramedic field supervisor and in 1987 he was named as Market General Manager, a position he held until his appointment as Lt. Governor. He was twice elected Mayor of Hastings and served six years on the Hastings City Council, with four years as president of the council. As Lt. Governor, he serves as Nebraska's Director of Homeland Security, chairman of the Nebraska Information Technology Commission, presiding officer of the Nebraska Legislature and is involved in economic development efforts across the state
Team members:
Bruce Williams – Bruce lives in the Atlanta area with his wife, Cathy, and two Boykin Spaniels. He has one daughter, Elizabeth, who is married and lives in New York City. He graduated from Auburn University in 1964. He is a commercial real estate developer and has been for almost 30 years. He had the honor of working on such projects as the Mall of Georgia and the relocation of the UPS headquarters of Atlanta. He is an avid hunter of upland and waterfowl as well as white tail deer and elk. He enjoys rifle hunting, shotgun and archery. He has hunted across the US and south of the border. Bruce is a member of the Wild Turkey Federation, Rocky Mountain Elk Federation and Ducks Unlimited. He is also a member of the Grand National Waterfowl Association having served as an officer on the Past Shooters Council from 2006-2008.
Brent Baglien – Brent has lived in Washington, DC for 12 years. He is the Vice President of Government Affairs for ConAgra Foods. He was raised in Grand Forks, North Dakota. Brent went to college at the University of Colorado and attended law school at the University of North Dakota. He is married and has 3 girls. He is a hockey fan and loves to hunt.
Chris Kircher – Chris received a bachelor's of science degree in marketing from Wright State University. He is married and has three children. Chris is Vice President of Corporate Affairs at Omaha, NE-based ConAgra Foods, Inc., one of North America 's leading packaged food companies. He also serves as President of the ConAgra Foods Foundation. He is responsible for leading the company's corporate responsibility, charitable giving and state and local public affairs initiatives. Before joining ConAgra Foods in 2002, Mr. Kircher was with Hill and Knowlton, Inc., one of the world's leading public relations firms where he worked from 1989 to 1996, and then again from 2000 to June 2002 at the firms'headquarters in New York City. His experience covered most areas of external and internal communications including crisis and issues management, media relations, financial communications, public affairs and reputation management. His clients ranged from global companies to leading universities to foreign governments. From 1996 to 2000, Mr. Kircher was manager of financial communications at Philip Morris, Inc. where he also served as media spokesperson during the tobacco industry's historic settlement with the States.
Dave Brown – David is a graduate of Dartmouth College with academic specialties in industrial location and environmental studies. There he played on the 1978 Ivy League champion football team and was the recipient of the Earl P. Hamilton Award. With nearly 30 years experience in economic development and chamber administration, Brown began his career in organizational leadership at Michigan in 1983 as President of the Monroe County Industrial Development Corporation and director of the Port of Monroe. David is resident and CEO of the Greater Omaha Chamber, the catalyst organization that ensures Omaha is a vibrant place to do business, work and live. Focused on increasing business, investment and employment in the region, under Browns' leadership, the Greater Omaha Economic Development Partnership closed on 198 projects representing, 13,764 jobs and $2.68 billion investment since 2004. David and his wife Maggie have two sons, Gregory and Elijah.
The VIP Team - Captained by Jay Newens. Jay lives in Frisco, Texas. He is currently employed with NEMO-Q LP in McKinney, Texas as the Manager of Technical Services. He manages everything on the technical side from the queuing systems that they install. Jay is married with a two-year old daughter and another one on the way, due in December. He has been hunting with his dad since he was a youngster and he planned to become more active in the sport.
Team members:
Dave Starostka – Dave was born in Clarks, Nebraska. He is 47 years old and married to Chris Starostka for 26 years. They have two daughters in college. He is the co-owner of the Starostka Group. He likes to hunt upland game, water fowl and big game. Dave is a dead eye shot with the shotgun.
Matt Elsbury – Matt grew up in O'Neill, Nebraska. He went to college for landscaping. He is now Project Manager for a construction company in Grand Island. Matt has lived in Grand Island for 4 years. He met his wife in Lincoln and they have been married for 4 years. They have a daughter that will turn 2 in November. Matt grew up hunting upland game birds. He became interested in waterfowl and big game hunting 4 years ago. Matt went on his 4 th elk hunt in Colorado in October.
Steve Bohr – Steve resides in Holdrege, Nebraska. He is President of B&B Cattle Co., Inc. He is a partner in an order buying company in Amarillo, Texas. Steve has been fortunate to hunt big game, pheasant and quail all over the country such as Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, South Dakota, Minnesota, California, Tennessee, Colorado and Mississippi. Steve is looking forward to the One Box Hunt.
Don Chilcote – Don lives in Midland, Michigan with his wife Cindy and two daughters, Kaleena and Lauren. Don has worked for the NRA for 16 years. He is currently an Advancement Officer for the Mid America Region. Don previously held the position of Great Lakes Regional Director for the Ruffed Grouse Society. Don is a Certified Wildlife Biologist and an avid hunter. He particularly enjoys hunting upland birds, training bird dogs, and hunting in Africa. He has hunted in Nebraska for nearly 30 years. His family enjoys travel, sports and music.
Colorado Flying Fowl Team - Captained by Daryl Stewart. Daryl lives in Highlands Ranch, Colorado. He is owner and President of Stewart Petroleum Corporation which is an active oil and gas exploration and production company in the Rockies and Mid-Continent. Daryl is a member of the Glenmoor Country Club, Independent Petroleum Association of Mountain States, American Association of Petroleum Geologists and the Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists. Daryl is married to Kari and has two daughters, Torell and Tyla. His hobbies include bird hunting, skiing, tennis, travel and golf.
Team members:
Phil Cowdery – Phil resides in Longmont, Colorado. His work experience in high tech and the oil and gas industry includes both engineering and service side responsibilities. Phil's work experience has given him the interesting opportunity to live and work throughout the western United States, in particular Colorado, New Mexico and Utah. His hobbies include hunting, gun collecting and household upgrades and projects.
Max Stafford – Max lives in Parker, Colorado. He is married and has three grown sons. Max is a construction foreman and operations manager for Daughenbaugh Construction Co. and related holdings including commercial contracting and cattle ranching. His hobbies include hunting elk, deer, and birds. Max volunteers on construction projects for those in need. He enjoys teaching his 3 year old grandson construction skills.
Scott Balfanz – Scott was born and raised in Colorado. Both of his parents are from Minnesota and moved to Colorado in the late 50's where they still reside today. He enjoys hunting, fishing, skiing and mountain biking. He is able to support those habits through an aircraft parts and repair business he started 20 years ago. Scott is married and has two daughters. He learned at a very young age the “FUN” of hunting and fishing. Scott was fortunate that his dad was an avid hunter and fisherman and took many family camping trips. So when it's “DAD TIME” he likes to head to the hills and continue this tradition with his kids.
Michael Foy – Michael resides in Castle Rock, Colorado. He is married with two grown kids. He has been a resident of Colorado for 40 years. Michael earned his BS Finance degree at Colorado State University in 1973. He started his business career as a commercial banker at Central Bank of Denver specializing in independent oil and gas industry. Michael co-founded and was CFO of Bellwether Exploration Company 1981-1985. He also was CEO and owner of Oxford Consolidated Inc.1986-1999. Currently he is owner and President of Castle Creek Resources Inc. and an independent consultant specializing in oil and gas property and corporate merger/acquisition.
The NRA Team - Captained by Dwayne McFall. Dwayne lives in Canon City, Colorado. He has been the Sporting Goods Manager at Wal-Mart for 15 years. He has one son and one daughter. Dwayne earned his bachelor degree in Agriculture Business and Economics from West Texas A&M University in 1989. He is a member of the NRA, Ducks Unlimited, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and NWTF. Dwayne has attended the One Box Hunt previously and is a life member of the hunt. He is looking forward to a great hunt.
Team members:
James Perrings – James resides in Algodones, New Mexico. He retired 5 years ago from the University of New Mexico Health Science Center – New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator where he enjoyed employment as a Forensic Analyst. James is an individual who has enjoyed a passion for the great outdoors for a better part of his 52 years. His father introduced him to the shooting sports at the age of 8 and hunting at 12. An ardent advocate of safety, his father insisted he take the hunter safety course at age 12, when it was first offered by New Mexico Game and Fish. James is a long time supporting member of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, the New Mexico Wildlife Federation and the National Wildlife Federation. He is also a past supporter of Ducks Unlimited. James enjoys big game hunting, water fowling, with an occasional foray into upland game. He was recently introduced to the shotgun sporting games.
David Keene - David lives in Alexandria, Virginia. David attended the University of Wisconsin Law School, where he was the National Chairman of Young Americans for Freedom. Since then, he has been a John F. Kennedy Fellow at Harvard University Freedom Forum, and a member of the Board of Visitors at Duke University ‘s Public Policy School. David is 2 nd Vice President of the NRA. He was elected to the NRA Board of Directors in 2000. He currently serves as chairman of the Publications Policies Committee, vice chairman of the Legislative Policy and Membership Committees, and a member of the Bylaws & Resolutions and Meeting Site Selection Committee. Keene is an attorney, political activist, columnist and lobbyist who has written, spoken and lobbied on behalf of hunters, shooters and firearm owners for decades. He has worked in the White House and Congress and has been involved in nearly every congressional battle over gun rights since the early 70's. David appears regularly on national television, and his column appears regularly in “THE HILL”, a newspaper covering Congress. David is a lifelong hunter and has helped save hunter-friendly conservation programs in Africa, and he assisted the international hunting community when major airlines threatened to stop carrying hunting arms to Africa.
Ron Schmeits – Ron is a Nebraska native. He attended the University of Nebraska and holds an MBA in Bank Management from Rutgers University. Schmeits presently serves as President, CEO and Director of International Bank in Raton, New Mexico; CEO and chairman of the Board of International Bank, Trinidad, New Mexico; chairman of the board and director of Farmers and Stockmens Bank in Clayton, New Mexico; and Vice President and director of Raton Capital Corporation in Raton, New Mexico. He is past president and current member of the Raton Chamber of Commerce and director of the University of New Mexico Foundation Finance Committee. Long active in politics, Schmeits worked closely with New Mexico 's governor and legislature to pass the Concealed Handgun Carry Act of 2003. He served on the Governor's Business Advisory Committee under four different administrations and he continues to maintain a personal and professional relationship with Governor Richardson on various issues relating to Second Amendment rights, water distribution, investments and business. He was appointed by the Governor to serve as director of the U.S.-Canadian River Compact Commission, which controls water flowage from northeastern New Mexico within the state and into Oklahoma and Texas. Ron is the 1 st Vice President of the NRA. He was elected to the NRA Board of Directors in 2000, and currently serves as Chairman of the Finance Committee/ chairman of the membership committee; Vice Chairman of the President's Committee on Advancement; Vice Chairman of the Meeting Site Selection Committee and serves as a member of the Audit Committee and trustee member of he The NRA Foundation. Schmeitts is an active member of a variety of civic groups and community service organizations including Elks and Rotary. He is a recreational shooter, advocate of all competitive shooting disciplines and an avid hunter of all species.
Jim Porter – Jim resides in Birmingham, Alabama. He attended the University of Alabama as an undergraduate at the Cumberland School of Law, Samford University obtaining his J.D. in 1974. In 1979, he formed a partnership with Irvine Porter which became the present firm in 1985. Jim specialized in the representation of public entities with emphasis in defending civil rights tort claims. He presently serves as the Trial Counsel to Alabama Municipal Insurance Corporation, which insures over 450 public entities in Alabama. Mr. Porter is a media spokesman/debater on Second Amendment issues. He also is a legal advisor to the NRA in federal firearms cases. He defends gun manufacturers against malicious lawsuits. Jim worked to pass legislation protecting shooting ranges and worked with the NRA to expose and fight United Nations plans for world gun ban treaty. Jim is a member of the Board of Directors for the NRA. He serves as Chairman of the Legal Affairs Committee and the Committee of Hearings, Vice Chairman of the Finance Committee and a member of the Meeting Site Selection Committee, Task Force on Industry Relations, NRA Civil Rights Defense Fund and lastly trustee for the NRA Foundation and the Special Contribution Fund. Jim is a lifelong hunter, marksman and gun collector.
Rogert's Ringneck Renegades - Captained by Nancy Lyne. Nancy has been a resident of Broken Bowall of her life. She is married to Matt Lyne for 35 years. They have two married daughters, Brooke and Jenna, and three grandchildren. She has been involved in the One Box for 38 years, even before she was married. They have served on the One Box Board for two terms of 5 years each, one of which they were the Chairman/woman. She truly respects the time and commitment it takes to be part of the One Box organization. Because of her involvement, she now has a new hobby, shotgun shooting. She participated in many shooting leagues, such as skeet, trap, 5-Stand and sporting clays. Nancy entered the Cornhusker State Games in the year of 2002 for shooting trap. She placed 2nd at this competitive sport and brought home the silver medal out of 82 shooters. Other interests and hobbies include doing many crafts, cutting her own patterns from wood and painting with both acrylic and oil. She has been very active in the community, anywhere from playing softball, tennis, coaching softball, volleyball, basketball and serving on many volunteer committees to serve our area.
Team members:
Dan Rogert – Dan was born in 1973 to Rod and Margaret Rogert. He attended grade school at a small two room school house (District 15), middle and high school at Valley, Nebraska. Dan went to college at Iowa Western Community College where he earned his Aviation Maintenance License. In 1993, he started working for Mallard Sand and Gravel. Working in several different capacities, he is currently the Purchasing and Equipment Manager at Mallard. In 1998 he married Nichole Jaskiewicz and they have two kids. Dan enjoys hunting, camping and almost anything outdoors.
Kyle Johnson – Kyle grew up in Valley, Nebraska. He graduated from Valley High School. Kyle is the Vice President of Lake Aero, LLC. His company does everything from farming to running heavy equipment. He is excited to compete in the One Box Hunt.
Travis Johnson – Travis grew up in a small town outside of Omaha in Valley. That is where he and his brother, Kyle, got their first taste of hunting with their grandfather Don. When he is framing new homes in Omaha and the weather is not the best to be working, he can't help but keep his eye on the sky dreaming of sitting in a duck hunting hole with his buddy, Kyle.
Jim Beck – Jim resides in Omaha, Nebraska. He is the manager for City Resurfacing. Jim has competed in many state trap and skeet competitions. He is a 20 time All State Trap Team member and a 10 time captain. Jim has won 31 state trap titles. He is the only Nebraskan to place on the All State Trap and All State Team in the same year. Jim has also competed in national competitions. He lead the nation in 16 yard ATA Competition Shooting 2490X2500 for a .9960 average. Jim was also 2 nd in the nation in ATA handicap average .9455. Jim enjoys pigeon shooting as well. He won the European Pigeon Shooting Championship in Brecia, Italy. He has competed in the World Competition International Bunker Trap. Jim won the silver in Bologna, Italy, the bronze in San Sebastian, Spain, and won the gold in Mexico City.
NE Game & Parks Commissioners Team - Captained by Dr. Kent Forney. Dr. Forney resides in Lincoln, Nebraska. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Nebraska in 1979 and his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Iowa State University in 1984. In 1985, Dr. Forney moved “home” to Alliance, Nebraska where he practiced in a mixed animal practice until his move to Lincoln in April 1987 where he opened Forney Animal Center, which became Nebraska Animal Medical Center. Dr. Forney is a member of AAHA, the AVMAand the NVMA, where he served on the Board of Directors, and is a past member of the Nebraska Board of Health. He currently is serving an appointment as a commissioner with the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. In 1992, Dr. Forney was named Veterinarian of the Year by the Nebraska Veterinary Medical Association, and has been featuredin the Midlands Department of Education Vocational Rehabilitation Department for his work with employing persons with disabilities. Dr. Forney is married to Shelley and has three sons. His special interests include Veterinary Dentistry and Dermatology, in addition to Companion Animal Medicine and Surgery. His hobbies include hunting, fishing and speaking to various groups, schools and organizations.
Team members:
Mick Jensen – Mick is a graduate from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln with a degree in Business Administration. He joined the telephone company in 1966 working construction in Grant, Nebraska. Mick moved to Osmond, Nebraska in 1968 where he became local manager. One year later he moved to the home office in Blair, Nebraska, where he became Vice President/General Manager in 1974. Mick was named CEO of Great Plains in 1998. Mick is a past chairman of the Nebraska Telephone Association. He currently serves on the Budget Committee. Mick is a past chairman of the Legislative Committee and has been on the Board of Directors from 1974 to present. He was President of NTA in 1979 and 2006. He is also a past director of the Nebraska Cellular Telephone Corporation. Mick is the current director of the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He has also served on the Republican State Central Committee. He is a past member of the Nebraska Educational Television Board of Directors. Mick serves on the Board of Trustees of the Nebraska Chapter of the Nature Conservancy and is a director of the Nebraska Information Network. Mick is a past member of the Board of Directors of the United States Telephone Association. He also helped with local organizations such as the Blair Chamber of Commerce, president of the Blair Rotary, coached Blair's girls softball and past president of Blair Little League. Mick's hobbies include golfing, hunting, fishing, snow skiing and he is a private pilot.
Jerrod Burke – Jerrod grew up on a farm southwest of Elwood, Nebraska. After graduating from high school he attended Kearney State College (UNK) and received a Bachelors degree in 1988. He returned to UNK and received his Masters Degree in 2002. Jerrod began teaching and coaching at Medicine Valley Public Schools in Curtis and has been there for 22 years. He is involved on the family farm in the summers and on weekends. Jerrod is currently vice chairman of the Game and Parks Commission representing District 5 which he fondly refers to as the “Mixed Bag Capital of the World”. Much of his free time is spent hunting and fishing. His passion is pheasant hunting and can be found on weekends in the fall following his three Gordon Setters in search of birds. He will celebrate his 20 th wedding anniversary with his wife Doris this August. He has one daughter Lauren and one son Logan.He is excited to be part of the One Box Pheasant Hunt and finds it a privilege to be asked and participate.
Dr. Mark Pinkerton – Dr. Pinkerton is a practicing dentist in Wilbur, Nebraska. He grew up in Beatrice, Nebraska. He is married to Roberta and has 3 sons. In August 2002, he was appointed to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission Board. He felt it was a great way to be a positive influence on wildlife management and conservation. Dr. Pinkerton enjoys hunting, fishing and is an avid archery hunter. His passion is raising and training English Pointers. He competes in horseback field trials with them and has developed several champions over the years. He also has a passion for barbershop music. Dr. Pinkerton has been singing with the Homestead Harmonizers out of Beatrice for five years. He was thrilled to have sang at the Lied Center Stage in Lincoln.
Jim Ziebarth – Jim grew up on his family farm southeast of Wilcox and graduated from Wilcox High School. He attended the University of Nebraska Lincoln 's Agriculture College. He is the 4th generation to operate the family farm and he currently serves as President of Ziebarth Farms Incorporated. In 2000 his family received the Nebraska Pioneer Farm Family Award presented by the Knights of Ak-Sar-Ben and Con-Agri for 100 years of continuous familyownership. Jim has served on and held offices on various local, state and national organizations including the South Platte Chamber of Commerce, Nebraska Ethanol Board and is currently the Chairman of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. He enjoys the outdoors and appreciates the wide variety of experience available in Nebraska. He is married to Lisa and they have four children. They are also proud grandparents of their first grandson, Jackson.
The Wiechman Pork Team - Captained by Jerry Leeper. Jerry is the Vice President of Procurement and Corporate Purchasing for Farmland Foods, Inc. In this capacity he has the overall livestock procurement responsibility for Farmland's four slaughter plants, corporate purchasing and printing operations. He is in his 15 th year at Farmland Foods. Prior to that, Jerry was employed at Sparks Commodities, Inc., now known as Informa Economics. He served in several capacities, including livestock analyst, crops analyst, Sr. Vice President and Principal. Mr. Leeper has been actively involved in several livestock production operations throughout his career.
Team members:
Eric Hanson – Eric was raised in Fremont, Nebraska. He was a member of the Fremont High Trap Shooting Team and won the Nebraska Cornhusker High School Trap Shoot as an individual. While in college, Eric participated on the Livestock Judging Team and was the college’s representative to the local chapter of Habitat for Humanity. He received his Associate of Applied Science Degree from Southeast Community College in May 2001, with a double major in Agribusiness and Management Technology. Eric is the owner/operator of a 1,300 head sow unit with 4 full-time employees. His pork production business has been built around meeting consumer demand and being a good steward
of the environment. Eric sells 36,000 isoweans a year to local diversified farmers. His operation raises pigs with minimal antibiotics and growth promotants. Eric enjoys spending time with his godchildren and family, involving them in his hobbies whenever possible. His hobbies include driving dirt-track stockcars, hunting and fishing.
Cary Horrocks -
Kevin Janata – Kevin resides near Howells , Nebraska . He is married to Mary and they have four children. Kevin graduated from Howells High in 1978 and then attended Wayne State College for 1 year. After one year of college, he was offered a position with a feed company and attended animal nutrition classes for the next 2 years. He then entered The world of direct feed sales and has continued in that field for the last 29 years. In 1988 he started an operation called J&H Milling which manufactures complete feed for animals. Kevin presently has 7 employees and processes 75,000 tons of feed per year. Kevin enjoys hunting, fishing, golf and of course Nebraska football.
Steve Riley - Steve was born and raised in O'Neill, Nebraska . He graduated from Midland Lutheran College in Fremont , Nebraska . Steve is the manager of Wiechman Pig Co., Inc. Nebraska division and one of the four owners. He has been with Wiechman Pig Co., Inc. for 27 years. Steve is married and has 3 children. His favorite past times include hunting, fishing, golfing and football.