North Dakota Stockmen's Association
11/10/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 11/10/2025 09:18
Stockmen’s Association members re-elect Schmitt, Erbele for officer positions
Posted 11/10/2025
For immediate release:
Nov. 7, 2025
For more information, contact:
Randy Schmitt, North Dakota Stockmen's Association president: (701) 537-3440 • [email protected]
Julie Schaff Ellingson, North Dakota Stockmen's Association executive vice president: (701) 223-2522 • [email protected]
Stockmen's Association members re-elect
Schmitt, Erbele for officer positions
Four district directors newly elected, two re-elected
North Dakota Stockmen's Association (NDSA) members re-elected 22-year member and Rugby, N.D., cow-calf producer Randy Schmitt as their president at the organization's 96th Annual Convention & Trade Show, "Think Big, Achieve More." The association tapped Schmitt for a second year in its highest post during the closing business session at the Clarion Hotel and Convention Center in Minot, N.D.
Schmitt and his family own a commercial Simmental and Red Angus cow-calf operation, where they background feeders, market replacement heifers and raise their own feed, including alfalfa, cover crops and grain and silage corn.
Schmitt and his wife Stacey have four children, Mattie, Lane, Grace Swartzentruber (Eddie) and Ty, and one granddaughter, Rowyn.
In his presidential address during the convention's opening session, Schmitt said serving as the organization's president "has given me countless opportunities to see our mission in action."
He cited engaging with participants of the NDSA's Tomorrow's Top Hands Beef Leadership Summit as one of the highlights of his year. The Top Hands Summit is a leadership development and career exploration event for students 14 to 20 years old. "The future of ranching depends upon bright, passionate young people stepping into this business," Schmitt said, "and we have those rising stars right here in North Dakota."
Another highlight for Schmitt was the NDSA's and North Dakota Stockmen's Foundation's successful Out of the Ashes Wildfire Disaster Relief effort, which delivered nearly $1 million in direct relief to victims of the October 2024 wildfires. "This effort showcased the very best of who we are - neighbors helping neighbors in the time of loss," Schmitt said. "The generosity and support poured in from across the state and beyond, providing relief to producers impacted by disaster and helping them rebuild their herds and their lives. It was humbling to witness."
Schmitt said the membership's efforts during the 69th North Dakota Legislative Assembly also reaffirmed the strength in unity. "Many of you joined in making our voice heard at the State Capitol," he said. "Thanks to everyone who stood shoulder to shoulder with the NDSA in advocating for our beef industry. Your involvement matters."
He reflected on progress made on the NDSA's farm bill priorities and federal tax policy and the strong cattle market.
He concluded, saying, "As we turn the page to a new year, I am filled with gratitude. None of our progress would be possible without you, our members. Whether you attended a Roundup, joined in on a policy discussion or simply paid your dues, you have played a vital role in advancing our mission."
NDSA members also re-elected Tim Erbele of Streeter, N.D., as the organization's vice president. He is the chairman of the NDSA Resolutions Committee. The 33-year NDSA member runs a Salers-Angus-cross cow-calf operation, permitted backgrounding feedlot and Purina feed dealership. Erbele and his wife Ronda have two daughters, Miranda (Andy) Hagen and Addyson.
District directors
Lacey Wirth of Munich, N.D., was elected to her first four-year term in District 1. District 1 is comprised of Benson, Cavalier, Eddy, Foster, Grand Forks, Griggs, Nelson, Pembina, Pierce, Ramsey, Rolette, Steele, Sheridan, Towner, Traill, Walsh and Wells Counties. Wirth, a three-year NDSA member, has a primarily Angus cow-calf and backgrounding operation with genetics stemming from her family's herd. Wirth worked for the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service as an agricultural engineer for five years before resigning from the position to farm and ranch full-time with her family. Her husband is Mitchell.
Wade Dally of Montpelier, N.D., was re-elected to a second four-year term in District 2. District 2 is comprised of Barnes, Cass, Dickey, LaMoure, Ransom, Richland, Sargent and Stutsman Counties. Dally, a 14-year NDSA member, runs an Angus seedstock operation with a spring- and fall-calving herd and a commercial cow-calf operation. He and his family sell bulls, females and ranch horses. Dally also builds, remodels, pours concrete and constructs houses, shops and barns. He is the vice chairman of the NDSA Ag Policy Committee. He and his wife Bailey have two daughters, Bristol and Dawson.
Brooks Zenker of Gackle, N.D., was elected to his first four-year term in District 3. District 3 is comprised of Burleigh, Emmons, Kidder, Logan and McIntosh Counties. Zenker is a 13-year NDSA member and the chairman of the NDSA Feeder Council. He is in partnership with his father, Warren Zenker, in an Angus and Salers-cross cow-calf operation, permitted feedlot and farm. He and his wife Hailey have one daughter, Isla.
Wayne Hepper of Fort Yates, N.D., was re-elected to his second four-year term in District 4. District 4 is comprised of Adams, Grant, Hettinger, Mercer, Morton, Oliver and Sioux Counties. Hepper is a 10-year NDSA member and the vice chairman of the NDSA Feeding & Marketing Committee. He runs an Angus cowherd with Limousin bulls for a terminal cross. He backgrounds calves, finishes most of them and raises corn, annual forages, peas, beans and other crops. Hepper has two daughters, Emma and Meg.
Max Robison of Amidon, N.D., was elected to his first four-year term in District 5. District 5 is comprised of Billings, Bowman, Dunn, Golden Valley, McKenzie, Slope and Stark Counties. He is a two-year NDSA member. He runs a Red Angus seedstock and cow-calf operation and has a custom leathercraft business. He and his wife Haley have two children, Max and Hayes.
Joe Matehs of Upham, N.D., was elected to his first four-year term in District 6. District 6 is comprised of Bottineau, Burke, Divide, McHenry, McLean, Mountrail, Renville, Ward and Williams Counties. Matehs is a 31-year NDSA member and the former chairman of the NDSA Feeder Council. He runs a farm, ranch and feedyard with his son, brother and nephew. He does custom corn chopping and buys and custom feeds cattle. Matehs and his wife Jennifer have two children, Ethan and Hallie.
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