Billy works with major funders throughout Kentucky, the Southeast and Texas; presents at conferences and meetings of allied organizations; and secures partnerships to expand AFT’s programmatic work across these regions. Before joining AFT, he ran his own government relations firm. During this time, he served as the founding CEO of Woodford Forward, a land use advocacy organization. As a landscape architect, he worked in both the private and public sectors, including over a decade as the director of a farmland protection program in Lexington, Kentucky, where he conserved 28,000 acres.

Kalena Bruce is a 5th generation farmer who lives in Stockton, Missouri along with her husband Billy & daughter Willa. The Bruce’s operate a commercial cow/calf operation. She is active with Missouri Farm Bureau and other agriculture organizations in her community. She has served a 2-year term on the Missouri Young Farmer & Rancher committee, served as the chair of the American Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmer & Rancher committee, and serves on the local county Farm Bureau board.

Gail Sanders has served as vice president of Policy Services since November, 2005.  She began her career with SC Farm Bureau in 1994 as supervisor of Central Records and Account Bill. She is responsible for all policy processing, mail services, document imaging and the call center. 

Sterling Martin came to Farm Bureau in April of 2011 and was hired as the Application and Development Manager. Sterling was promoted to the IT Manger position in 2015. Sterling graduated from Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana in 1989 with a bachelor of science degree.  Sterling is a US Army veteran. He lives in Columbia with his wife Leslie and daughter Alahna.

Mandy began her employment in April of 1998 with South Carolina Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company as a File Clerk, Policy Services Analyst and Account Bill Analyst. In 2001, Mandy transitioned to Executive Secretary – Operations for the Actuarial Department and she worked in that capacity until she was hired as an Account Underwriter in June of 2012. Mandy was promoted to Senior Account Underwriter in 2018. In 2021, Mandy transitioned to the Training Department where she accepted the Associate Director of Training position.

Lydia Yon, along with her husband Kevin, operates Yon Family Farms, a family-owned business, in Ridge Spring, SC. Both Yons are graduates of Clemson University with degrees in Animal Science.

Jim Hollis DVM, MS has served as the director of South Carolina Meat-Poultry Inspection Department since February 2021. Prior to that appointment, he was assistant director from February 2018 until February 2021.

Before joining Clemson University, Dr. Hollis was the District Veterinarian for the State of Indiana for 15 years. He also spent two years with USDA Food Safety Inspection Service in Cincinnati area before that. For eleven years, he practiced private veterinary medicine in Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky. 

Jason started raising forage fed and finished beef around 12-14 years ago. He added pasture-raised pork to his operation in the last 5 years. His two daughters raise pastured chicken and turkeys that they process on the farm. As is the case for many, Jason had a hard time finding a place to process his livestock, so he took matters into his own hands and purchased a USDA certified and inspected plant in Hodges, SC. Working alongside his wife, Penelope, they process 10-12 beef cattle and 5 hogs each week with their numbers reaching 2500 head annually.