84 NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN February 2024 Capital Cattlemen Board of Directors. She is currently NCBA’s chair of International Trade and serves on the Humanities Nebraska Council and Foundation. Past roles include Ag Leadership Council chair, NCBA Resolutions Committee chair, member of the Beef Checkoff ’s inaugural Trailblazer class and a member of NCBA’s Policy Division Board of Directors. Wilson has also been inducted into the Nebraska Hall of Ag Achievement. Wilson owns and operates Wilson Flying Diamond Ranch with her dad, Blaine. The Flying Diamond Ranch is a commercial Red Angus/Simmental cow-calf operation north of Lakeside. Flying Diamond Beef, Wilson’s direct-to-consumer beef business, was founded in 2019. The ranch was the inaugural Nebraska Leopold Conservation Winner and was the 2023 BQA National Cow-Calf Producer of the Year. Wilson enjoys working in the beef industry. “It gives me a purpose and that is to care and provide for my livestock to the best of my ability so that they can fulfill their purpose, and that’s feeding the world,” she says. One word that she uses to describe NC is perceptive. “It’s been a decade since I last served on the NC Board, and I’m very excited to interact with the other board members and the staff,” Wilson says. “I’m also excited to get to know the members of the affiliates in Region 1 and, hopefully, not only be a liaison between our great part of the state and NC, but also between NC and NCBA.” Heath Clausen, Leigh, Member Services – Region 7 Vice Chair Heath Clausen joined the NC Board of Directors as vice chair of Member Services – Region 7. He has served as a board member of the Platte Valley Cattlemen affiliate since 2021, and he will serve as their president for 2024. Additionally, he serves on the local fire department and has served as his church’s council president. Clausen owns a cow-calf operation and a cattle nutrition business, Heartland Nutrition LLC. There are various reasons he is passionate about the beef industry. He believes in developing and promoting a quality, nutrient-rich product that is bred, born and raised in Nebraska. While Clausen does not have a specific mentor in the beef industry, he says he admires all cattlemen and cattlewomen who get up every day to fight for and promote the life they love. “You can’t find better, more hard-working and honest people than cattlemen and cattlewomen,” Clausen says. “It’s an industry that settled and built America, and I admire people who work to keep it going that way.” When you meet Clausen, his passion for promoting the beef industry is palpable. He ties this passion into serving on the NC Board. “I hope to educate the public on the many benefits of the industry while also showing producers different profit strategies and how and what to do to protect the industry from the negatives,” he says. Clausen and his wife, Michele, have two daughters – Macy, 17, and Averi, 13 – and a son, Jase, 11. The family likes to travel and enjoys the Nebraska Cornhuskers and Kansas City Chiefs. Clausen looks forward to serving on the NC Board and would describe NC with the word gritty. Shannon Peterson, Gothenburg, Member Services – Region 9 Vice Chair Shannon Peterson returns to the NC Board of Directors as vice chair of Member Services – Region 9. Peterson served in the role from 2014 to 2019. She is involved with Dawson County Cattlemen and has served on the affiliate’s board since 2011; she was the first female Dawson County Cattlemen president from 2013 to 2014. The Petersons are fourth-generation producers with both a cow-calf and feedlot operation. Peterson grew up in the cattle industry and participated in 4-H in her youth. Today, she helps lead the Tail Twisters 4-H Club. She additionally serves on the Gothenburg Ag Chamber Board, is a past Nebraska LEAD Fellow and runs the carcass contest for the Dawson County Fair. Her favorite part of working in the beef industry is tending to the daily care of cattle. Her passion for animal husbandry ties into her agricultural issues interests. “I enjoy staying updated on animal husbandry techniques,” Peterson says. “I like watching technology breakthroughs, learning vaccination and implant regulations and tracking legislation regarding animal health. I see the importance of biosecurity and need to learn more about it.” Peterson and her husband, Paul, have two daughters. Savannah is a senior at Kansas State University, and Emma is a freshman at Montana State University. The family enjoyed showing pigs together, and they sell show pigs. Although they do not show anymore, the family likes to follow the pigs they sell on the show circuit. One word Peterson uses to describe NC is supportive. She is excited to rejoin the NC Board, and she wants to reconnect with Region 9 affiliates. “I’m excited to meet new staff members at NC and meet the new board members of NC,” Peterson says. “I am excited about the current officer team; they were on the board during my first tenure. I look forward to following the officers’ leadership.” CONTINUED ON PAGE 86 MEET NC’S NEWEST BOARD MEMBERS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 82
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