New Faces at Illinois Beef

new faces at Illinois Beef at Illinois Beef

by McKenzie Davison

Devin Bollman Membership & Communications Manager While growing up in urban Houston, Devin Bollman’s journey toward the cattle industry was far from conventional. Unlike many livestock producers, Devin did not grow up on a family farm or ranch where raising cattle was passed down from generation to generation; instead, she was able to get her foot in the door through her local FFA and 4-H programs.

“From the moment I joined FFA and 4-H, I knew this is it, this is what I wanted to do with my life”, explains Devin.

Throughout high school, her free time was often spent at cattle shows across Texas. With the help of her family and local 4-H program, she was able to purchase her very own Hereford steer that she housed at the 4-H barn. She may not have known it at the time, but her investment in a single Hereford steer would soon open a door of opportunities for Devin in the cattle industry. That year, Devin showed her steer at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. She walked out of the ring that day with a smile on her face and a banner in her hand after she won Champion Hereford Steer.

“As I walked out of the ring, I looked to my dad and told him I was ready to show big cows now.”

Year after year, Devin purchased a Hereford heifer to add to her show string, and before she knew it, she had a whole barn full of Herefords and a small herd of her own. However, showing meant much more to Devin than banners and buckles; she saw the unique leadership opportunities her state Hereford association had to offer. As a junior, Devin served as president of the Texas Hereford Association Junior Board of Directors and also as Texas Hereford Queen.

“One thing led to another, and here I was years down the road working for a Hereford operation and headfirst into the Texas Hereford Association.”

Devin’s involvement in the association guided her throughout her job search. She graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in beef production and beef industry studies. Due to job market complications during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, Devin chose to pursue a full-time position for a local livestock and videography company. She learned many skills through her experience with the company including media coordination, content development, social media management and urban consumer outreach. Devin hopes to utilize these skills when she begins her new adventure at IBA.

To others, leaving your home state and uprooting your life for a new career opportunity may seem like a daunting task; however, for this born and raised Texan, the move to Illinois is an adventure she is excited to take.

“When I first started applying for jobs, a close friend of mine told me that I’ll never know if I love Texas if I don’t leave Texas and find out what else is out there”.

Devin is eager to start her new career at the Illinois Beef Association as the membership and communications manager. Devin will serve as the new membership recruitment manager and assist the team with public relations, covering both checkoff and policy-related news.

“I am most looking forward to working with the team at IBA. I had the chance to meet them all in the beginning of April, and they are absolutely amazing people. We all immediately clicked.”

Annie Schoetmer Programs and Services Manager Livestock enthusiast, Annie Schoetmer, is returning to her roots through her new position at the Illinois Beef Association. Annie grew up on her small family farm outside of Batesville, Ind. Her love for agriculture started at a young age while assisting with her grandfather’s commercial cow-calf herd. Although Annie grew to love cattle through the time spent with her grandfather, as she got older, she was presented with an opportunity with another commodity group.

“My high school ag teacher got me involved in showing sheep. She played a huge role in building my love and passion for livestock,” says Annie.

Following high school, Annie attended Lincoln Land Community College (LLCC). At LLCC, she spent her time attending Pediatric Academic Societies and Ag Club meetings, plus traveling the Midwest evaluating livestock for the LLCC Livestock Judging Team.

Annie traded her LLCC blue and red for purple and white to continue her education in Manhattan, Kan. She graduated from Kansas State University with an animal science and industries degree.

“Throughout college, I had a diverse set of internships and experiences. I believe that my involvement in the industry will prove to be very beneficial when communicating with different producers from various backgrounds.”

Annie hopes to utilize her degree and internship experiences in her new position at IBA. She will be serving as the new Programs and Services Manager. Annie is most excited to serve the beef producers of Illinois through IBA’s different events.

Annie will be traveling the state to host IBA events like Beef Quality Assurance trainings, IBA Summer Conference and the Illinois Forage and Grasslands Forage Expo, Edge Conference, the Illinois Livestock Leadership Institute, Illinois State Fair, and Illinois Beef Expo, while keeping an open ear for potential future events.

“I want to figure out how we can tailor each experience to fit our member’s needs and interests.”

Annie will be returning to Illinois not only to serve IBA but to live on a 300-head commercial cow-calf operation much like her grandfather’s that sparked her initial interest in the livestock industry.

“I plan to look at new member opportunities and find resources that I can bring to events that will benefit our program in our evolving industry.” Mary Faber Financial Officer Whether it is beef or dairy, cattle have played a huge role in the life of Mary Faber. Mary grew up in Pontiac where she spent most of her childhood helping on her family’s dairy farm, Mackinson Dairy. However, as she has grown older and furthered her career, she has found herself in closer ties with the beef industry. When Mary was in high school Pontiac did not have an agriculture education program, but she was able to find her passion for agriculture through her local 4-H program and on her family farm.

“Agriculture was something that I knew I loved. I also took an accounting course my senior year of high school, and I really enjoyed it, so I decided why not combine the two,” says Mary.

After high school, Mary attended Illinois State University, where she earned a degree in agriculture business. She then spent 17 years working in cooperate America. In the meantime, she was able to earn her master’s degree in business administration. Although she spent much of her professional career in cooperate, she was eager to return to her cattle industry roots. In October of 2020, Mary left her job in hopes of launching her own bookkeeping business. What started as a simple Facebook post regarding any potential inquiries, has now blossomed into a community of cattle producing clients nationwide.

“Even though I grew up with a dairy background, I have more beef clients, and I know more about beef production today because of my ties to the beef industry.”

Mary’s ties to the beef industry stretch much farther than her business. For Mary, raising cattle has also become a family affair. She now resides just two miles from her childhood home, where she and her family raise both beef and dairy cattle.

“I have enjoyed the flexibility that comes along with running my own business. I am now able to spend more time with my family getting to do what we love, raising and showing cattle.”

Mary is excited to return to an industry where she can make connections with others who share her same love and passion for cattle.

“I look forward to working in the industry and continuing to make connections among producers.”

Mary will serve Illinois Beef Association as Financial Officer. IBA is happy to welcome Mary Faber, “the dairy girl,” as she put it, with open arms. Mary’s bookkeeping skills, combined with our new team of agricultural advocates, will ensure a bright future for IBA and Illinois cattle producers for

years to come

“I have always been a numbers person, but I recently became acquainted with influencers and advocates in the beef industry. I have come to find that their talent with words combined with my skills with numbers makes the perfect team.”

Olivia Hoots Membership Services Coordinator Illinois native, Olivia Hoots’, roots stem back to rural Manchester. For Olivia, the cattle industry runs in her blood. She grew up helping on her uncle and grandfather’s Red Angus seedstock operation, Andras Stock Farm. “I grew up with a strong appreciation for agriculture and the cattle industry. I got involved in the industry at a young age through showing Red Angus cattle,” says Olivia.

Olivia immersed herself in the industry by helping with her family’s cattle sales. Her favorite ways to help included handing out bidder numbers and connecting with local cattlemen and cattlewomen.

“Attending sales and meeting the faces behind cattle operations gave me an appreciation for the industry here in Illinois. This allowed me to learn some of the different aspects of the industry outside of showing and how my family and other producers run their business.”

Olivia continued her education at Lincoln Land Community College, with an emphasis in agriculture. Her love for agriculture and the cattle industry led her to the sunflower state, where she attended Kansas State University, majoring in agricultural communications and journalism.

After graduation, Olivia worked as an intern at the Kansas Department of Agriculture with the state’s trademark program, From the Land of Kansas.

“I learned a lot about connecting with the members of the agriculture community in Kansas by helping them fulfill their membership benefits in association with the program.”

As a previous member of the Illinois Junior Beef Association, Olivia understands the importance of supporting the cattlemen and cattlewomen in the state of Illinois.

“I have a strong appreciation for what the Illinois Beef Association does for their members. I look forward to meeting, supporting and making connections with the producers and leaders of the Illinois cattle industry.

Her new role as the Membership Services Coordinator will help strengthen the member-to-association relationship and help IBA uncover the needs of the producers in Illinois. Olivia will be working to bridge the gap between marketing and membership promotions at IBA. www.illinoisbeef.com 100% American made

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