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Jodie Hickman is no stranger to the cattle business. But her experience in marketing, event coordination and program development will bring some new ideas to her new position as executive director of the South Dakota Cattlemen's Association. With a resume that lists employment with the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, South Dakota Governor's Office of Economic Development and the presidency and ownership of a marketing firm, Jodie brings an arsenal of skills that will benefit the organization.
Jodie's duties with SDCA will include membership recruitment, allied industry partnerships, marketing and program management and development. She will work out of the Association’s office in Pierre. “We’re extremely pleased and excited to have Jodie on board and look forward to her enthusiasm for SDCA and knowledge of the beef industry,” SDCA president Mike Stahly said.
Born in Pierre and raised on a commercial cow-calf operation in central South Dakota, Jodie is happy for the opportunity to work for cattlemen in South Dakota. After graduating from Colorado State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Business her experiences focused mostly on national issues, but she is glad to be back in a rural area where she can concentrate on local issues. "I grew up on a ranch near Midland, so I have a special place in my heart for South Dakota producers," Jodie said. Her family is still actively involved in the cattle business in South Dakota and Texas.
Having worked with agriculture advertising and marketing, Lindsey Heiss will provide experience and new ideas to the SDCA. After graduating from Midland Lutheran College in Fremont, NE with a degree in journalism, advertising and public relations she worked for Farmers National Company as the advertising and Web site coordinator. Lindsey is experienced in agriculture marketing and in layout and design of catalogs, brochures and advertising. Her background in advertising and public relations has provided a variety of experiences, including Web site maintenance, flyer design for real estate and livestock auctions, and public relations. Lindsey is married to Tyson Heiss, who manages a ranch for the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe. They have one son, Owen. They live in Pierre. Born and raised in O’Neill, Nebraska, Lindsey grew up around agriculture. Her father, Harland Hanson, is an ag mechanic and her mother, Ronda, teaches at O’Neill Elementary. Her sister, Autumn Wegner,is an x-ray and ultrasound technician in St. Paul, NE and her brother Tyler goes to Capital University and lives in Pierre.
Kathy Heiss, the new SDCA office manager, was born a Nebraskan, but became a true South Dakotan upon moving here with her husband, Barry. She is still a Cornhusker Fan, though, and home is still Page, Neb. where she raised all of her children. Her father was a farmer who had a cow/calf operation and she married a man with the goal of having a ranch someday. She helped her husband on their feedlot and cow/calf operation. They raised five children, Shain, A.Jay, Kacy, Tyson and Tessa. Four of the five now live in the Pierre area, so five of their grandchildren are close-by. In 1997, when they moved to South Dakota, Kathy went to work with the South Dakota Department of Agriculture and worked there until 2004. Her hobby is Volleyball. She started a Junior Olympic Volleyball program here five years ago. She really enjoys playing, coaching and reffing the sport for high school matches. Kathy is excited to be a part of the SDCA team and hopes she can bring a lot to the table—as long as there’s beef on it.
South Dakota Cattlemen's Association-435 Chapelle St-Pierre, SD 57501-605-945-2333
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