The Grand President's Award is presented annually by Alpha Gamma Rho to members 40 years old or younger who have been judged by a selection committee to have achieved remarkable success in their professional careers and made great contributions to agriculture, their community, and the Fraternity. The award demonstrates an honorable acknowledgment of the recipient's exceptional brotherhood, leadership, professionalism, and knowledge of his industry. Receiving the Grand President's Award at Leadership Seminars and being featured in SICKLE & SHEAF, these young, emerging leaders are role models for collegiate and recent graduate members.
Grand President's Award Nomination Submission Deadline: November 15, 2023
2023 Grand President's Awardees
Adam Geiger
Iota Chapter, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Brother Adam Geiger has been involved in the dairy industry for nearly his entire life. He was raised on a dairy farm in Wisconsin and attended the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where he earned a bachelor's degree in Dairy Science. During his time as a student, Adam was heavily involved in the Iota Chapter. He served as Vice Noble Ruler of Recruitment, and as a Recruitment Intern, on behalf of the Home Office, with Beta Tau Chapter at Mississippi State University. He then enrolled at Mississippi State University and, while serving as Adviser, earned a master’s degree in Ruminant Nutrition.
Adam then received his doctoral degree from Virginia Tech in Lactation Physiology. His dissertation is a series of work dedicated to understanding the relationship between nutrition and the mammary gland and understanding how both interact with various hormonal axes to improve milk production. While at Virginia Tech, Adam volunteered with Beta Eta Chapter and mentored many of its collegiate members.
After graduating, Adam worked at a large animal nutrition company. In 2017 he joined Zinpro Corporation as a Research Nutritionist and assumed a managerial role in 2022. He is known within the dairy industry worldwide for his approach and presentation style. Adam resides in Madison, Georgia, with his wife, Abby, and their children, Abram and Adelyn.
Bradley Starbuck
Theta Chapter, University of Missouri
Brother Bradley Starbuck was raised on a family farm in northern Missouri. Brad was heavily involved in 4-H and then FFA. While attending the University of Missouri, Brad worked for Mizzou’s admissions and Greek Life offices and was an intern for the Missouri House of Representatives. He joined the Theta Chapter where he served as Noble Ruler and then VNR-Membership Development. Upon graduation in 2005, Brad started his career at Missouri University of Science & Technology where he held multiple roles in student recruitment and marketing.
While at Missouri S&T, Brother Starbuck was a Chapter Advisor for Kappa Alpha Order Fraternity. Changing careers in 2012, he moved to become a development officer for the Minnesota 4-H Foundation. For the past decade, he has led fundraising and corporate relations for the Carlson School of Management and University of Minnesota Extension—engaging donors to support 4-H, rural entrepreneurs, and Minnesota agriculture. He dedicated ten years as Adviser for the Lambda Chapter and continues his service to the Fraternity to this day. As of 2022, Brad Starbuck is Alpha Gamma Rho's Regional Vice President of the North Central Region.
Brother Starbuck and his family live in Alexandria, Minnesota, where they can usually be found fishing or boating on the nearby lakes. He credits Alpha Gamma Rho as the best leadership experience of his youth, and an invaluable lifelong network.
Garrett Lister
Alpha Zeta Chapter, Kansas State University
Brother Garrett Lister is an Agricultural Economist with a background in the livestock and meat industry. He graduated from Kansas State University with a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in agricultural economics. As an undergraduate, Garrett joined Alpha Zeta Chapter and served as Vice Noble Ruler of Planning and Vice Noble Ruler of Recruitment. In addition to being a member of Ag Student Council, Ag Ambassadors, and the National Agri-Marketing Association Competition Team, Garrett was a Student Senator, representing the College of Agriculture, and chaired the Student Senate’s Governmental Relations Committee.
Brother Garrett was a recipient of The Charles W. & Lois H. Nauheim Ag Economics Scholarship and The Gladwin A. Read Memorial Fund Scholarship.
Since graduating, Garrett has held roles with Cargill, Kansas State University, and, currently, Innovative Livestock Services. In his position as Risk Management—Cattle, his responsibilities include conducting research and executing a disciplined hedging strategy to minimize the financial risk of operating seven feed yards with a total capacity over 225,000 head.
Currently, Garrett serves as Adviser to Alpha Zeta Chapter and has served on its Annual Ag Symposium Committee for the past seven years. He also volunteers with other agriculture organizations and as an Elder at church. Garrett and his wife, Alyson, live in Manhattan, Kansas, with their three young children.
Dr. Trey Kellner
Kappa Chapter, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Brother Trey Kellner was raised in Stockton, Kansas. He found an interest in swine nutrition and animal agriculture at an early age, through 4-H and FFA. Trey went to Colby Community College then the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where he joined Kappa Chapter. Trey served as Vice Noble Ruler, Vice Noble Ruler of Scholarship, and Vice Noble Ruler of Philanthropy. In college, Trey served on both the Colby Community College and University of Nebraska-Lincoln Livestock Judging Teams where he was named to the Intercollegiate All-American Livestock Judging Team in 2009.
After graduating, with a bachelor's degree in animal science from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, he went to Iowa State University and received a master’s degree and a doctorate degree as part of the Applied Swine Nutrition Lab Group.
Brother Trey received the 2020 Young Alumni of Distinction Award by the Animal Science Department at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and the 2022 Midwest Section of the American Society of Animal Science Outstanding Early Career Agribusiness Award. In 2017, Dr. Kellner joined AMVC Nutritional Services, where he is now Managing Partner.
Trey continues to be involved in Alpha Gamma Rho, serving on the Kappa Chapter Alumni Board since 2019. The most important thing to Trey is his family; his wife, Heather, and their two children, Theo, and Dylan.
Grand President’s Awardees
1991
• Taylor Brown, Alpha Delta Chapter, Montana State University
• Mike Jackson, Delta Chapter, Purdue University
• Jay Vroom Alpha, Alpha Chapter, University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign
• Jim Zarndt, Iota Chapter, University of Wisconsin–Madison
1992
• Jack Kaltenberg, Iota Chapter, University of Wisconsin–Madison
• Dwight Seegmiller, Eta Chapter, Iowa State University
• Walt Whitcomb, Psi Chapter, University of Maine
1993
• Sam Brownback, Alpha Zeta Chapter, Kansas State University
• John DeRuiter, Chi Chapter, California Polytechnic State University
• Frank Moore, Alpha Kappa Chapter, University of Tennessee–Knoxville
1994
• David Buckman, Theta Chapter, University of Missouri
• John C. Cottingham, Delta Chapter, Purdue University
• Frederick McClure, Beta Nu Chapter, Texas A&M University
• Ole Meland, Chi Chapter, California Polytechnic State University
1995
• Tom Davis, Delta Chapter, University of Purdue
• Scott Moffitt, Omicron Chapter, University of Kentucky
• William C. Schilling, Kappa Chapter, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
• Jerry Weller, Alpha Chapter, University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign
1996
• Terry Bass, Nu Chapter, North Carolina State University
• C. James Bode, Pi Chapter, Oklahoma State University
• William C. Miller, Omicron Chapter, University of Kentucky
• Jay S. Poole, Beta Eta Chapter, Virginia Tech
1997
• Charles "Chuck" Clemons, Sr., Alpha Gamma Chapter, University of Florida
• Dave Parker, Delta Chapter, Purdue University
• Paul Schulte, Pi Chapter, Oklahoma State University
1998
• David L. Bracht, Kappa Chapter, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
• Ed Jernigan, Beta Theta Chapter, Middle Tennessee State University
• Ted A. McKinney, Delta Chapter, Purdue University
• Michael Bret Thurmond, Alpha Eta Chapter, University of Georgia
1999
• Jay L. Ewald, Lambda Chapter, University of Minnesota–Twin Cities
• Brose A. McVey, Delta Chapter, Purdue University
• Brian Moeller, Alpha Chapter, University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign
• Tony D. Williams, Beta Xi Chapter, Texas Tech University
2000
• Steven L. Stice, Alpha Chapter, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
• Jeffrey L. Warner, Alpha Tau Chapter, Western Illinois University
2001
• Kraig Wagenecht, Alpha Tau Chapter, Western Illinois University
• Randall Little, Alpha Lambda Chapter, New Mexico State University
• Charles Woodside, Kappa Chapter, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
2002
• Dave E. Anderson, Alpha Zeta Chapter, Kansas State University
• William Carriere, Phi Chapter, University of California–Davis
• Timothy Minert, Kappa Chapter, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
• David A. Rold, Alpha Chapter, University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign
2003
• Jeffrey D. Adkisson, CAE, Western Illinois University
• Russ Galle, Alpha Zeta Chapter, Kansas State University
• Charles Hall, Alpha Kapa Chapter, University of Tennessee–Knoxville
• Rick Nagel, Delta Chapter, Purdue University
2004
• Merle G. Flowers, Xi Chapter, Auburn University
• Doug Griffin, Delta Chapter, Purdue University
• David B. Reis, Alpha Chapter, University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign
2005
• Daren Coppock, Alpha Beta Chapter, Oregon State University
• Doug Eckrote, Delta Chapter, Purdue University
• Anthony Haynes, Alpha Upsilon Chapter, University of Tennessee–Martin
• David McDonald, Eta Chapter, Iowa State University
2006
• Bryce Kelly Sr., Alpha Gamma Chapter, University of Florida
• John L. Kruse, Alpha Phi Chapter, South Dakota State University
• Paul Weubbe, Chi Chapter, California Polytechnic State University
• Wayne Worthley, Lambda Chapter, University of Minnesota
2007
• Paul Boettcher, Iota Chapter, University of Wisconsin–Madison
• Todd D. Johnson, Alpha Zeta Chapter, Kansas State University
• Shane C. Kitchen, Beta Tau Chapter, Mississippi State University
• Kevin Ochsner, Rho Chapter, Colorado State University
2008
• Tracey Binkley, Alpha Kappa Chapter, University of Tennessee–Knoxville
• Rich Engel, Phi Chapter, University of California–Davis
• Corey Geiger, Iota Chapter, University of Wisconsin–Madison
• Bill Hayen, Theta Chapter, University of Missouri
2009
• Michael Gomes, Chi Chapter, California Polytechnic State University
• Grady Roberts, Alpha Gamma Chapter, University of Florida
• Michael Wainscott, Omicron Chapter, University of Kentucky
• Thomas White, Alpha Klappa Chapter, University of Tennessee–Knoxville
2010
• Daniel Foor, Eta Chapter, Iowa State University
• Allen Lambright, East Texas State University
• Michael Revelle, Alpha Upsilon Chapter, University of Tennessee–Martin
• Jim Zumwalt, Alpha Chapter, University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign
2011
• Raymond Hodge, Alpha Gamma Chapter, University of Florida
• John Latham, Eta Chapter, Iowa State University
• Tom Lilja, Epsilon Chapter, North Dakota State University
• Glenn Poxleitner, Beta Phi Chapter, University of Idaho
2012
• Michael Bosco, Beta Sigma Chapter, Tarleton State University
• John Demerly, Delta Chapter, Purdue University
• Steve Hanson, Eta Chapter, Iowa State University
• Sean Kouplen, Pi Chapter, Oklahoma State University
2013
• Cody Lane, Beta Sigma Chapter, Tarleton State University
• Devin Nunes, Chi Chapter, California Polytechnic State University
• Adam Putnam, Alpha Gamma Chapter, University of Florida
• Jeffrey Rowe, Eta Chapter, Iowa State University
2014
• Matt Fanta, Alpha Psi Chapter, University of Wisconsin–River Falls
• Jerry Gilliam, Alpha Omega Chapter, Murray State University
• Marc Paulson, Lambda Chapter, University of Minnesota–Twin Cities
• Peter Tomlinson, Alpha Nu Chapter, University of Connecticut
2015
• Lynn Becker, Lambda Chapter, University of Minnesota–Twin Cities
• C. Elliott Marsh, Jr., Alpha Eta Chapter, University of Georgia
• Jesse Singerhouse, Alpha Psi Chapter, University of Wisconsin–River Falls
• Jerrod Westfahl, Alpha Zeta Chapter, Kansas State University
2016
• Chad Dummermuth, Eta Chapter, Iowa State University
• Joe Kelsay, Delta Chapter, Purdue University
• Thad Koenigsfeld, Theta Chapter, University of Missouri
• Adam Manwarren, Lambda Chapter, University of Minnesota–Twin Cities
2017
• Jason Grady, Alpha Zeta Chapter, Kansas State University
• Sam Watson, Alpha Eta Chapter, University of Georgia
• Will Wittler, Kappa Chapter, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
• Jeremy Zweiacker, Pi Chapter, Oklahoma State University
2018
• Garrett Hawkins, Beta Omega Chapter, Missouri State University
• Jason Hart, Beta Zeta Chapter, Clemson University
• Kevin Heikes, Rho Chapter, Colorado State University
• Eric Halverson, Epsilon Chapter, North Dakota State University
2019
• Brant Bigger, Epsilon Chapter, North Dakota State University
• Brad Garrison, Beta Tau Chapter, Mississippi State University
• Matt Norman Eta Chapter, Iowa State University
• Dale Winger, Delta Chapter, Purdue University
2020
• Aaron Lower, Alpha Chapter, University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign
• Eric Peterson, Eta Chapter, Iowa State University
• Josh Roe, Alpha Zeta Chapter, Kansas State University
• Brady Sidwell, Pi Chapter, Oklahoma State University
2021
• Robert Elliott, Alpha Kappa Chapter, University of Tennessee–Knoxville
• Tim Hammerich, Phi Chapter, University of California–Davis
• Justin Sharpless, Alpha Gamma Chapter, University of Florida
• Josh Wackler, Alpha Beta Chapter, Oregon State University
2022
• Todd Streinacher, Alpha Tau Chapter, Western Illinois University
• Seth Pratt, Beta Phi Chapter, University of Idaho
• Andy Fordice, Delta Chapter, Purdue University
• Chris Looney, Alpha Iota Chapter, University of Arkansas
