The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) board approved the 2026 NCBE officer team at CattleCon in Nashville last week, with Gene Copenhaver of Virginia taking the helm as president. Kim Brackett of Idaho is now president-elect, and Skye Krebs of Oregon is vice president.

Kenny Rogers of Colorado was elected chair of the NCBA Policy Division and Scott Anderson of Oklahoma was elected policy vice chair. Travis Maddock of North Dakota and Dan Hanrahan of Iowa, were elected as chair and vice chair of the NCBA Federation Division, respectively. Brad Hastings of Texas will serve in the role of NCBA treasurer.

Copenhaver’s family has been raising crops and livestock since 1850. “I’m a fifth generation cattleman from from southwest Virginia and near the Tennessee line. And I’ve previously, I was a ag banker for 38 years. So I was doing 2 full-time jobs like a lot of our industry does in the business,” said Coperhaver. “I’ve been involved with NCBA, a member of 35 years, and been in policy leadership for the last 12 years. So it’s been a good way to be a servant to the industry. It’s important. My parents taught me that. My dad was involved in the cattle industry and local, state, and national cattle organizations.”

Copenhaver currently manages his family’s stocker operation in southwest Virginia with his son, Will. He has been married to his wife, Jodi, for more than 35 years, and they have two other grown children, Brad and Jaymee, and three granddaughters.

Listen to interviews with Coperhaver, Brackett, and Krebs from CattleCon in Nashville last week.

Gene Copenhaver, NCBA, President
Interview with Gene Copenhaver (7:06)
Kim Brackett, NCBA, President-elect
Interview with Kim Brackett (7:51)
Skye Krebs, NCBA, Vice President
Interview with Skye Krebs (6:11)

Find more interviews in the Official CattleCon Virtual Newsroom

Official CattleCon 2026 Photography