Sara oversees everything from chain development to cultivating key strategies for growth and delivering educational solutions to advance partners’ presence in the marketplace.
“I love being able to connect people from gate to plate, to serve as the bridge between our cattlemen and our end-users.“
Ken Eifrid
Director, Business Development
Certified since 2019
Ken thrives on sourcing successful solutions for foodservice and retail partners seeking value-added products and beyond. He also enjoys serving as a conduit for independent meat companies to bring their value to foodservice end users.
“You have to be motivated to sell, and the Certified Angus Beef ® brand provides that genuine excitement. It makes authentic salespeople, and that’s why it was an easy decision for me to work here.”
Tony Biggs
Director, Culinary Arts
Certified since 2014
Chef Tony sets culinary vision for the brand and The Culinary Center and elevates the brand’s presence on the plate and relevance to chefs and restaurateurs worldwide through innovation and media appearances.
“Working for the brand allows me to be as creative as I want to be. The meals my team and I prepare are the result of the brand trusting us to serve the best-in-class experiences for our guests.“
Clint Walenciak
Vice President, Product Services
Certified since 2000
Clint leads communications with the USDA to uphold the brand’s quality certification and provides partners with product availability forecasts and market trends to guide their business decisions.
“The best parts of working for the brand are the quality it represents and the opportunity to work with the dedicated people across our community.”
Steve Ringle
Executive Vice President, Business Development
Certified since 2001
Steve leads strategic planning, customer development and the pursuit of new foodservice, retail, manufacturing and international business, with a focus on increasing customer success and optimizing product availability.
“I love that I work for a brand that brings people together and helps them to be successful. It is rewarding to know that working with our licensee base to build demand positively affects the lives of family farmers and ranchers raising quality Angus cattle.”
Amanda Barstow
Director, Brand Engagement
Certified since 1995
Amanda leads creative, proactive strategies to welcome new partners and set them up for success through branding and trademark use on menus, in stores, on materials, in media and beyond.
“I love the authenticity of the brand—from its science-based specifications and grassroots beginnings to its global reach today. There’s an energy in our community that promotes positivity and continuous improvement.”
Diana Clark
Assistant Director, Research and Education
Certified since 2015
Diana inspires by leading and providing research that elevates the brand’s position in the market and our partners’ successes while leading high-impact training and beef fabrication for our global partners.
“I love experiencing meat and developing relationships with people from all over the world. Through different backgrounds, languages and experiences, we come together around a side of beef.”
Kelly Murray
Director, Foodservice Marketing
Certified since 2013
Kelly leads restaurant partnerships and prospective partner outreach, working to cultivate brand champions and engage them with profitable menu, marketing and training solutions.
“Our partners, particularly restaurant operators, are some of the most resilient people. Even when they have a tough year, we continue to hear of their fortitude. I’m confident they will forge ahead stronger than ever because that is just who they are: leaders who don’t quit.”
Brianna Smith
Manager, Marketing
Brianna works with foodservice, restaurant and independent meat company leadership to create resources and drive initiatives for partners’ continued success with the very best beef.
“Since I was a child participating in 4-H and FFA, I knew I wanted to work in the agricultural industry. I’m glad I made that dream come true with Certified Angus Beef.”
Certified since 2018
Neil Johnson
Executive Account Manager, Northwest
Certified since 2022
Neil helps partners grow their Certified Angus Beef® sales by providing education, resources and motivation to promote and protect the very best beef.
“Interacting with partners makes my job so exciting, and I’m motivated every day by the hardworking farming and ranching families we get to support.”
Randy Whittemore
Executive Account Manager, South
Certified since 2002
Randy puts education first when he’s speaking with retailers and foodservice distributors. He cares about their business decisions and shares resources to help them make the best ones.
“For me, it’s about taking the industry to a better place than when I found it. I want to pass along what I know to help others and the brand allows me to do that.”
Beverly Linhoss
Account Marketing Manager
Certified since 2021
Beverly helps foodservice and retail partners reach their marketing goals by connecting them to the right tools and resources for their businesses.
“I love every aspect of my job, but working with independent retailers and hearing their stories has a special place on my to-do list.”
Daniel Clark, Ph.D.
Meat Scientist
Certified since 2019
Daniel advances distributor, chef and retailer knowledge of the brand’s quality through beef fabrication at The Culinary Center, and guides research initiatives to ensure consistently superior product performance.
“I enjoy my job—the research and education piece. Putting the two together with our partners sparks innovation and conversation. It’s really the people and their willingness to learn that make it fun.”
Mike McReynolds
Executive Account Manager, South Central
Certified since 2019
Mike puts education first to ensure partners understand the brand’s mission while also leading foodservice and retail customers to achieve marketing, merchandising and sales success.
“I love the educational side of my job and helping people understand the importance of the beef community.“
Josh Ennis
Executive Account Manager, Southeast
Certified since 2021
Josh uses his three decades of foodservice experience to help chefs, meat case managers and sales representatives promote the very best beef and answer questions from their customers.
“I look forward to working with partners and helping brand specialists find their passion for the brand. I had a lot of great role models when I was a specialist, so I hope to be one to others.”
Kirsten Nickles
Sustainability & Animal Care Scientist
Certified since 2022
Kirsten leads sustainability and cattle care initiatives and serves as a technical expert to positively influence the future of beef production while also communicating successes in these areas with consumers.
“Decisions we make today affect the many family farms and ranches, including my family’s, making up the beef industry. I love getting to play a part in those decisions, all while sharing our producers’ success stories with consumers.”
Kurt Brockhaus
Executive Account Manager, North Central
Certified since 2017
Kurt works closely with foodservice and retail customers to bring great-tasting beef to the table. He enjoys helping accounts succeed through real-life experiences that bridge the gap between purchasing, pricing and marketing.
“I can only sell something I totally believe in, and the brand’s integrity and quality make it the only product I want to sell.”
Wes Zimmerman
Executive Account Manager, Midwest
Certified since 2017
Wes brings years of sales experience to foodservice distributors, restaurants and retailers with a constant focus on advising them to be increasingly successful. He enjoys training sales staff, breaking it down in the Meat Lab and sharing ranch stories.
“My promise to North American farm and ranch families is simple: if you dedicate your life to raising high-quality, Angus-influenced cattle that meet Certified Angus Beef ® standards, I’ll dedicate my career to ensure every pound you produce is sold.”
