North Dakota Angus Association names Caraballo, Spickler as president, vice president

North Dakota Angus Association Holds Annual Meeting and Banquet Members gathered November 7th & 8th in Bismarck

Energy and enthusiasm filled the room at this year’s North Dakota Angus Association Annual Meeting and Banquet. Members young and old came together in Bismarck November 7–8 at the Ramada, celebrating their shared passion for Angus cattle and the promising future of our industry. The event showcased the strength, unity, and momentum of our association.

The NDAA membership elected new officers to the board of directors. To serve their second term, the membership re-elected Stefanie Scherbenske of Lehr and Avery Roth of New Leipzig, and new board members Nic Harding of Tolna and Howdy Lawlar of Watford City.

Kathy Tokach, St. Anthony, completed her service as president, as the membership elected Sydney Caraballo, Wildrose, as the new president. “Kathy has been a great leader the past two years. Her dedication to our membership is unmatched and we thank her for her service,” says Ashley Bruner, NDAA Secretary/Treasurer. Nathan Spickler of Glenfield was elected the new Vice President.

Stetson Ellingson of St. Anthony and Paul Topp of Grace City both completed two terms of service to the board. “It’s dedication of board members that help keep the NDAA going strong,” says Bruner.

The event kicked of Friday night, November 7th, with the North Dakota Junior Angus Association (NDJAA) meeting and activities. The NDJAA elected new officers as well: Molly Hansen, Carrington, will serve as President; Rylee Erdmann, Lisbon, Vice President; Haylie Spickler, Glenfield, Secretary; and Cally Hansen, Carrington, Treasurer.

Troy Marshall, Director of Commercial Industry Relations, American Angus Association, and Paul Dykstra, Director of Supply Chain Management and Analysis, Certified Angus Beef ® shared insight of the industry and their respective organizations with the membership.

Following the afternoon events, members gathered for feast and fellowship at the annual banquet. A welcome and several introductions by NDAA President Sydney Caraballo was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by members of the ND Junior Angus.

A peaceful invocation by Shari Wendel set the tone for the evening, followed by a delicious Certified Angus Beef® prime rib meal. As the banquet continued, several well-deserved awards were presented to honored recipients.

There were many youth awards and scholarships presented.

The ND Junior Angus Association started a high point sweepstakes award at Field Days back in 2018 to encourage more involvement in contests at Field Days. This award goes to the Junior Field Day participant that accumulated the most points from contests and showing cattle. This year’s high point sweepstakes award was sponsored in memory of Walt Haberman, and was presented to Rylee Erdmann. Rylee is the daughter of Stacy and Jeremy Erdmann of Lisbon.

The board recognized the success the Junior members had this year, and complimented them on their hard work, dedication and representation of our North Dakota Angus family. Juniors who placed Champion or Reserve Champion at the 2025 National Junior Angus Show in July in Tulsa, Oklahoma were recognized for their accomplishments.

Recognized for her Reserve Champion Bred-and-Owned Carcass Steer was Kelsey Vandeberghe of Cleveland.

“There are many highlights of the Annual Meeting and Banquet, but all of the junior involvement sure keeps the focus of the organization exciting,” Bruner adds.

The annual Heifer Raffle drawing provided the greatest entertainment. “Mike and Shari Wendel serve as the chair and do a wonderful job ensuring this tradition lives on,” says Bruner. The North Dakota Endowment Fund has raised over $329,000. Interest from this fund is used to provide scholarships for ND Juniors.

This year’s heifer was graciously donated by Thompson Angus of Kintyre. The NDAA expressed a huge thank you to the Thompson family for such a tremendous donation in support of the juniors. This year’s lucky raffle winner was Dale Sprunk of Chaffee. Ticket sales raised $13,100 for the foundation!

In addition, this years scholarship winners were announced. This year’s winners of $1,750 each are Sheridan Ellingson, St. Anthony, Rylee Erdmann, Lisbon, and Molly Hansen, Carrington.

The 2025 North Dakota Angus Queen, Miranda Novodvorsky shared her farewell speech with the crowd. “I met so many people through my time as Princess and Queen and I want to thank you all for the amazing opportunity that I took on with both hands and gave my best.”

The NDAA thanked Miranda, daughter of Shane and Jami Novodvorsky, Douglas, for the outstanding job she did representing the NDAA and being a great role model for other NDJAA members this past year.

Karlee Sailer, newly elected NDAA Auxiliary President and Royalty Committee Chair, presented the membership with their 2026 Angus Royalty, welcoming the new 2026 ND Angus Princesses, Rylee Erdmann, Lisbon, Jorja Green, Maddock, and Haylie Spickler, Glenfield, and the new 2026 ND Angus Queen, Molly Hansen, Carrington. .

The Breeder of the Year is awarded based on a points system derived from members activities throughout the year. These activities include placing in shows including the North Star Classic and North Dakota State Fair, as well as any national Roll of Victory shows, election to the state or national association boards, participation and performance in the State Select Sale as well as the Angus University program.

The 2025 Breeder of the Year award was given to Petersen Farms, Bowbells. Petersen Farms first, 3rd and 6th high selling lots in the 2025 State Select Sale, as well as the Grand Champion Angus Female in the North Star Classic, along with a class winner at the North Dakota State Fair.

The Commercial Breeder of the Year award went to Kelly and Lori Unruh, Prairie Diamond Ranch, Hebron. “They focused on building a strong maternal base, using Angus bulls to add consistency and longevity.,” says Jake Wolf who presented the Unruh’s with this award. “This is a program built on consistency, records, and a whole lot of family dedication. It’s a herd — and a history — to be proud of.”

The Person of the Year award has long been presented to North Dakota Angus Association members who, over the years, have contributed to, and made a positive impact on the association and the breed. “There are many people throughout our association whose collective efforts have overwhelmingly supported our purpose and mission, and this is a way to honor them,” said Bruner.

This year’s Persons of the Year as selected by the committee is Frank Matejcek, for his countless efforts toward the NDAA over the years. Presenting them the award was their daughter, Vern Frey, Steve Brooks and Richard Tokach. “The Matejcek’s have always worked side by side on the farm/ranch, and as strong supporters of their community and the state of North Dakota,” Frey said. “He has always enjoyed making friends and developing relationships with the cattle producers in the state.”

“The association is surely blessed with members like Frank and Lucy,” Bruner added.

One other special recognition given was the President’s Award, given by Past President Tokach to Vern & Corrine Frey, in honor and thanks to their lifetime of dedication to the ND Angus Association.

For the second year, Martin-Trudeau Insurance was in attendance at the banquet to present the NDAA with a sponsorship check. This is funded by a program through Nationwide Insurance. This year, Nationwide donated $16,000 to the NDAA. “Our board was thrilled with the donation from Nationwide and the Trudeau team. It was a wonderful surprise to receive that amount,” Sydney Caraballo. “This donation will definitely impact and benefit our budget and financial position in 2026.”

Following the always entertaining Heifer Raffle drawing, the 2026 NDAA Events Calendar months were auctioned off, photography contest winners announced, and banquet successfully concluded. Members shared in another great recap of the year, showcasing all the wonderful things going on within the North Dakota Angus Association. An additional thanks was given to the event sponsors, Tri-State Livestock News, Western Ag Reporter, Neogen, and Martin-Trudeau Insurance; the NDAA always enjoys working with industry sponsors and greatly appreciates their support.

For more information about the North Dakota Angus Association, please contact Travis or Ashley Bruner, Secretary/Treasurer at (701) 400-1016 or northdakotaangus@gmail.com

–North Dakota Angus Association