Mike Beam was appointed secretary of the Kansas Department of Agriculture by Governor Laura Kelly in January 2019 and confirmed in April.

Beam came to KDA following 38 years of experience in association management for the Kansas Livestock Association. He has served as the Executive Director of the Ranchland Trust of Kansas, an affiliate of KLA, for 15 years.

He has dedicated his career to assisting farmers and ranchers to advance their policy and public relations needs and in building highly visible, responsive and respected organizations. In his role at KLA he participated and led coalitions in strategizing and implementing legislative and regulatory initiatives.

Beam began his career as a County 4-H and Youth Extension Agent in Dickinson County, following his graduation from Kansas State University with a bachelor’s degree in animal sciences and industry. He began at KLA in 1980 as a field representative before being named Executive Secretary of Cow-Calf/Stocker Division in 1983, and in later years he became Senior Vice President at KLA. He began as Executive Director of Ranchland Trust of Kansas in 2003.

His responsibilities at KLA allowed him to serve on several statewide committees and task forces, including Governor Brownback’s Flint Hills Working Group; the smoke management plan task force; the Kansas Technical Committee, advising USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service; the Ecotourism Steering Committee; a Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks & Tourism task force regarding Kansas deer hunting laws; and the KDWPT Nongame Wildlife Advisory Council.

In addition to his professional duties at KLA, Beam has demonstrated his leadership as president of several state and regional organizations, including Partnership of Rangeland Trusts, Symphony in the Flint Hills, Agribusiness Council of Kansas City and Kansas Society of Association Executives.

Rep. Dan Hawkins is the Speaker of the Kansas House of Representatives. Hawkins represents the 100th District in Wichita; a position he was elected to in 2013 and has since devoted himself to public service.

After growing up on his grandfather’s dairy farm in southern Harper County and graduating from Emporia State University, Dan married his college sweetheart Diane in 1985 and they have two beautiful daughters- Hannah and Hayley. He loves spending time with his daughters and their husbands, as well as his grandson and future fishing buddy, Rocky.

His first business venture began with his father in 1991 and Dan realized right away that small business ownership was a great fit. In 1995, he launched his career in insurance and has been working together with other small businesses ever since. One of his daughters operates the family insurance business while Dan is away in Topeka.

Prior to becoming Speaker, Hawkins served four years as House Majority leader and 4 years as the Chair of the House Health Committee. With his experience, knowledge, and dedication, Speaker Hawkins continues to make a meaningful difference in the lives of Kansans and a trusted leader in the Kansas legislature.

The Seeber File

Ron Seeber is the President and CEO of the Kansas Grain and Feed Association (KGFA).  Established in 1896, the KGFA is a voluntary state association with a membership encompassing the entire spectrum of the grain receiving, storage, processing and shipping industry in the state of Kansas.  KGFA’s membership includes over 950 Kansas business locations and represents 99% of the commercially licensed grain storage in the state.  Ron is has been with the KGFA since 2008 and the President since 2017.  He is only the 6^th President to serve in the association’s 123 year history.

In his role, Ron directs the vision, mission and strategy of the membership-based organization, advocating for Kansas agribusiness by creating a sustainable business climate through collaborative policy leadership, continuous education and effective communication.  He is responsible for maintaining and nurturing a professional relationship with government, other associations, allied industry, educational institutions and the general public as necessary and in the best interest of the association and for attainment of its objectives.

Ron Seeber is a native Kansan, grew up in El Dorado, and earned a Political Science Degree from the University of Kansas. After graduating in 1991, he worked for Senator Bob Dole in Washington, DC until 1996.  Ron then returned home and worked as the Deputy Secretary of Administration for Governor Bill Graves, Political Director of the Kansas Republican Party, and as a lobbyist for a law firm representing over 30 different companies, associations, and a Native American tribe.

Ron Seeber and wife, Jennifer, have three daughters, a labradoodle and an insane cat.

The Miller File

As President/CEO of the Kansas Cooperative Council (KCC) Miller oversees and executes on the strategic vision of the Council. She works on behalf of Kansas Cooperatives providing educational programs, promotion and advocacy to make Kansas the best state to operate a cooperative business.

The Stookey File

Randy Stookey was promoted to senior vice president after serving as the association’s general counsel since November 2011. Stookey is the lead lobbyist for the Associations and the contact for government affairs stakeholders from member companies and for lobbying clients. During the Legislative Session, Stookey monitors and responds to all bills of consequence for the industry. In addition, Stookey assists in the management of the Kansas Agri Business Council, the Associations’ Joint Political Action Committee.

Stookey is responsible for keeping current on all issues affecting the agribusiness industries and remaining knowledgeable on the regulations and laws pertaining to the grain and feed, fertilizer and agrichemical industries. Stookey is also the staff contact for Legislative Committees. As General Counsel, Stookey assists the President, Executive staff, Board, and membership with addressing legal questions and compliance issues.

The Stafford File

Shahira Stafford is a lifelong Kansan and has nearly 20 years of experience in all aspects of association management, focused primarily on government relations and communications. Most recently, Stafford served as Vice President of Government Affairs for the Kansas Grain and Feed Association and its affiliated agribusiness organizations and lobbying clients. Prior, she filled the role of Vice President of Marketing and Communications.