WALSAA Board of Directors
Brian Koch – Director, President
Brian Koch grew up on a livestock farm near Jefferson, Wisconsin. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Meat and Animal Science, with a Business and Industry option from UW-Madison. He spent the first ten years of his career in production management in the meat industry. He has worked as a financial advisor for the last 25 years; founding Red Barn Advisors in 2015. He currently serves on the Delta Theta Sigma Alumni Board of Directors and with the Rotary Club of Waupun. Brian is married to Valerie and together they have five children and one grandchild. He enjoys watching his kids participate in high school sports (volleyball, baseball and soccer). He also enjoys getting back to the family farm, sporting clays and other outdoor activities.
Jenny Loeb – Director, Vice-President
Jenny Loeb holds a BS in Biochemistry and MS in Biotechnology from UW-Madison and is currently a Senior Project Manager with Genus PLC. After earning her biochemistry degree, she spent the first 12 years of her career in various research and development roles with multiple institutions and companies. Loeb held positions conducting basic research at UW-Madison, research and product development for Thermo Fisher Scientific, and served as an assay developer for early drug discovery programs with Gilead. After experiencing a layoff and shifting interests into the business side of the life sciences and biotechnology industry, she returned to UW-Madison to earn her MS degree. Her career transitioned to marketing positions with Promega, New England Biolabs, and Fleet Feet. She has managed product portfolios, commercialized products and services into specific market segments, and developed strategic plans for long term business growth. Jenny is proud to be a two time Badger alumnus and enjoys mentoring, teaching, and working with current and future CALS Badgers to find their way and achieve their goals. She lives in Madison, Wis. with her rescue dog, Ziggy, and is an avid runner, hiker, biker, and walker.
John Brunnquell – Director, Secretary/Treasurer
John Brunnquell graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a bachelor’s degree in Agronomy and master’s degree in Poultry Science. His research led to his being awarded patents for both fat and cholesterol reduction in shell eggs. Since founding Egg Innovations in 1999 and leading the company to a national presence, John earned his Ph.D. in Avian Ethology at the University of Kentucky. He has served on numerous industry boards and committees and has been recognized many times for his volunteer work; including induction into the Wisconsin 4-H Hall of Fame and being named an Outstanding Alumni of the University of Wisconsin. John and his wife, Cathy, were selected as the United States’ Outstanding Young Farmers by both the American Farm Bureau Federation and the National Jaycees organization. John served as past President of the Wisconsin Agricultural Alumni Association, The Wisconsin 4-H Foundation and Organic Egg Farmers of America. John and Cathy have three children and five grandchildren.
Jane Hillstrom – Director, Past President
Jane Hillstrom found her passion for agriculture at an early age on her grandfather’s dairy farm. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with double majors in Meat and Animal Science and Ag Education in 1980. A first-generation graduate, she credits CALS scholarships with helping her through college. After working for the Integer Group as VP of Strategic Counsel, she started Hillstrom PR. She and her team managed public relations campaigns for a wide range of industries including agriculture tourism and healthcare. She finished her career at Filament Marketing. Jane holds a certificate in Reputation Management from the Public Relations Society of America and still enjoys talking through an issue or crisis with industry friends. She is a founding board member of Isadoora Theatre Company and served on the board and executive committee of the Door County YMCA. Jane and Mark Breseman, her husband, returned to Southwest Wisconsin after 25 years living in Door County. They have two grown children.
Curt Lauderdale – Ex-Officio Director (CALS)
Curt Lauderdale works in the Office of Academic Affairs at the UW-Madison College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS). Curt serves as the assistant dean for student advising and development. In this role, Curt works closely with Career Services and Academic Advising across the College. Curt grew up on a multi-generational dairy farm in Elkhorn, WI, attended Lawrence University in Appleton, WI, for his undergraduate degree, and has a Master of Arts in Education degree from The George Washington University Graduate School of Education. He enjoys exploring Madison with his dog Tilly.
Aaron Hoskins – Ex-Officio Director (CALS Faculty)
Aaron Hoskins grew up in rural Indiana and attended Purdue University and graduated with a degree in chemistry in 2000. After college, he attended graduate school at MIT and obtained a PhD in chemistry in 2006. Afterwards, I was a postdoctoral research fellow at Brandeis University and UMass Medical School before joining the UW-Madison Department of Biochemistry in 2011. His laboratory studies RNA processing using single molecule biophysics techniques. In addition to research, Hoskins taught undergraduate biochemistry at UW-Madison for 14 years and serves as faculty advisor for the student chapter of the American Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. In his spare time, he enjoys dinners with his partner Tim, spending time with his pets, cooking, HIIT workouts, and vegetable gardening.
Ayana Blair – Ex-Officio Director (WFAA)
Ayana Blair is the Managing Senior Director of Development for CALS. She brings more than 25 years of experience in fundraising and relationship management, with a career dedicated to connecting donors and alumni with opportunities to make a meaningful impact. In her role, Ayana partners with alumni, volunteers, and friends of CALS to support the college’s priorities and strengthen opportunities for students, research, and outreach.
Amanda Bender – CALS Student Rep
Amanda Bender is a plant pathology major from Walworth, Wisconsin. Active in several campus organizations, she is sentinel for the Association of Women in Agriculture (AWA) and coordinator for the Collegiate Farm Bureau’s Agriculture in the Classroom program. As a Badger Dairy Club member, she was the group’s World Dairy Expo business chair. She was also president of her FFA chapter while in high school. In the future, Bender plans to work towards a doctorate degree.
Thalia Klemp-North – CALS Student Rep
Thalia Klemp-North of Wausau, Wisconsin, is pursuing a degree in Biology with a certificate in Genetics and is on the pre-medical track with aspirations of becoming a pediatrician specializing in bone dysplasia. Inspired by her own experience growing up with achondroplasia dwarfism, she hopes to become an advocate, mentor, and resource for children and families in the dwarfism community, demonstrating that anything is possible while serving as a positive role model. On campus, Thalia serves as the Social Media Chair for Badgers for Special Olympics, a student organization that partners UW-Madison students with Special Olympics Wisconsin athletes to build an inclusive community through sports and friendship. She is also a Counseling Psychology Teaching Fellow on campus, where she co-teaches first-year students and helps ease their transition to college by connecting them with resources, support, and opportunities for success. Through her passion for healthcare, inclusion, and mentorship, Thalia is committed to making a meaningful impact both within the UW-Madison community and beyond.
Emily Sydow – CALS Student Rep
Emily Sydow hails from Sun Prairie, Wisconsin. Coming from a fourth-generation farming family, agriculture has played a large role in her service. She currently is pursuing a degree in Agricultural and Applied Economics with a certificate in Public Policy. Emily is actively involved on campus serving as a CALS Ambassador, Alumni Coordinator for the Association of Women in Agriculture, and Secretary for the Collegiate Farm Bureau. Upon completion of her undergraduate studies, she hopes to pursue her master’s in Public Affairs through the La Follette School of Public Affairs.
Mark Dopp – Director
Mark Dopp retired from the Meat Institute, a Washington, DC based trade association representing the meat and poultry industry, in 2025. At the Meat Institute he was the chief operating officer and general counsel, previously serving as its senior vice president of regulatory affairs and general counsel. In that role, Dopp oversaw policy development and represented industry views on significant regulatory, scientific, legislative, and communications matters. He also provided legal counsel and oversaw its administration and financial matters. Dopp was inducted into the Meat Industry Hall of Fame in 2021. Dopp became the Meat Institute’s outside general counsel in May 1995 and in 1999 he formally joined the Institute and assumed responsibility for its legal and regulatory affairs. Before joining the Meat Institute Dopp worked at Hogan and Hartson (now Hogan Lovells), where he was active in areas of food and agricultural law on behalf of many clients, including domestic and foreign corporations. He joined Hogan and Hartson in 1989 as an associate and in January 1993 became a partner. Dopp began his career in USDA’s Office of the General Counsel in 1984 and entered private practice in 1985. Dopp received his Bachelor of Science-Agriculture degree in agricultural economics from the University of Wisconsin and his Master of Science from Michigan State University in 1981, also in agricultural economics. He received his law degree in 1984 from the University of Missouri.
Derviş Gürsoy – Director
Derviş Gürsoy is the founder and CEO of Spraycision, an agricultural-technology company focused on precision spraying systems that reduce chemical and water use. Originally from a farming family in Turkey and an engineering graduate of UW–Madison, he combines global agricultural roots with entrepreneurial drive for building practical, grower-focused technology. Dervis believes strong alumni networks are essential and brings a people-centered approach to WALSAA, aiming to bridge the industry and the next generation of leaders.
Julie McKiernan – Director
Julie McKiernan first became interested in agriculture in 8th grade when she was a member of the Montello FFA junior soils team at Farm Progress Days. Julie became the first female Montello FFA President in her senior year. She attended the UW-Madison majoring in Agricultural Economics and Dairy Science with a Business and Industry Option, graduating in 1987 with a BS-Agriculture degree. She worked at Bou-Matic Dairy Equipment until 1996, where she managed the customer service department. She obtained her real estate sales license and transitioned into self-employment and co-ownership in a residential building company where she managed the office and was corporate Treasurer. In 2010, she became the Office Manager for a small welding and manufacturing company. The last seven years she worked for Kalscheur Implement Co. Inc. at the parts counter, a Case IH dealership, and recently joined Brooks Tractor Inc., a John Deere construction dealership, also at the parts counter. Julie served a three-year term on the School District of Lodi School Board, has been the past Treasurer and current member of the Lodi FFA Alumni and currently is a Village of Dane Trustee and board member of the Dane-Vienna Fire District. Julie brings a diverse background with her knowledge and past experiences.
Paul Mitchell – Director
Paul Mitchell has been on the faculty at the University of Wisconsin-Madison since 2004 in the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics. He is Professor and Chair of the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics and co-director of the Wisconsin Rural Partnerships Institute. He grew up on a farm in northeastern Iowa and attended Iowa State University for his PhD in Economics. At UW he runs an active research, teaching and Extension program focused broadly on agriculture.
Jeff Nelson – Director
Jeff Nelson earned a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and Neurobiology from UW-Madison CALS in 2005. He spent two years as a laboratory research associate at UW Hospital before completing his PhD in Biology at UC San Diego, where he studied the genetics and molecular biology of the plant circadian clock. He then returned to Madison as a postdoctoral researcher in regenerative biology at the Morgridge Institute, followed by a role as an R&D scientist at Stem Pharm, before joining Promega Corporation in 2018. As a Product Marketing Manager, he leads go-to-market strategy for drug discovery research tools, which includes scientific content, product positioning, field enablement, and partnerships with biotech and pharma companies. On the WALSAA board, he hopes to grow engagement among CALS graduates working in the life sciences. Jeff lives in Middleton with his wife and two kids. In his free time, he enjoys camping, hiking, paddling, sailing, cycling, cross country skiing, and playing ultimate frisbee.
Tracy Propst – Director, Student Engagement Chair
Tracy Propst grew up on her family’s registered Holstein dairy farm, Crescentmead Farm, in Ixonia, Wisconsin, and graduated from CALS at UW-Madison in 1991 with a B.S. degree in Bacteriology. Her early career included roles at Oscar Mayer in product development and food microbiology, as well as a year as a Wienermobile Hotdogger and ultimately in sales. She spent 20 years at Gehl Foods and served as Vice President of Food Service Sales and later worked with Professional Dairy Producers. Since 2020, Tracy has served as Executive Director of the Beaver Dam Chamber of Commerce, driving economic growth, tourism, business support, and community engagement. Tracy is actively involved in numerous organizations, including the Beaver Dam Rotary, Marshfield Medical Center-Beaver Dam Community Advisory Board, Community Health Committee and Leadership Wisconsin Board of Directors. She and her husband, Andy, operate a 2,000-acre crop and hog farm in Beaver Dam with Andy’s brother and are proud parents of UW-Madison children.
Lindsey Sarbacker – Director, Marketing & Alumni Engagement Chair
Lindsey Sarbacker is currently a Lead Crop Insurance Adjuster for Rain and Hail serving farmers and ranchers in eastern South Dakota. She is a recent UW-Madison CALS graduate, earning degrees in Dairy Science and Life Sciences Communication with a certificate in Agricultural Business Management. At UW-Madison she was active in Collegiate Farm Bureau, National Agri-Marketing Association and Badger Dairy Club. She currently serves on the WALSAA Marketing and Development Committee as lead of WALSAA’s social media platforms.
Daryl Spors – Director
Daryl Spors grew up in Wisconsin as a third generation dairy processing professional. He earned his B.S. in Food Science from UW–Madison and an MBA from Lakeland University. Daryl is Vice President of Product Development at CROPP Cooperative/Organic Valley, where he leads product development and innovation across the cooperative’s portfolio. He joined Organic Valley in 2019 after a career in food R&D with Unilever, Kerry, Richelieu Foods and Kelley Supply. He serves on the Wisconsin Dairy Products Association board, the CALS Board of Visitors, and judges dairy products at the World Dairy Expo Dairy Product Contest and Wisconsin State Fair. He enjoys staying connected to UW–Madison and supporting future generations of CALS students and professionals. Daryl and his wife, Briana, live in Janesville, Wisconsin, and have three adult daughters and two rescue dogs. Outside of work, he enjoys traveling, attending concerts and cheering on the Badgers.
Wynnie Zuchowski – Director, Communications Lead
Wynnie Zuchowski is the Global Marketing Director at GENEX. Where she is responsible for developing, executing, and managing the marketing strategies across four global regions. Zuchowski has nearly 30 years of experience developing and bringing customer-focused and company growth strategies to life. She has global experience in industries ranging from agtech and animal health to dental, distribution, manufacturing, and pharma, and with companies of all sizes, from start-ups to Fortune 100. Prior to that, she was part of the leadership team MouthWatch and developed and launched a new company and SaaS offering in the dental space. At Henry Schein, she oversaw the business solutions division and led the development and commercialization of an industry-changing membership program called Thrive. She has extensive marketing agency experience rooted in animal health and agriculture, working with clients like Zoetis, Arm & Hammer Animal Nutrition, and Wisconsin Equine Clinic & Hospital. After majoring in animal science at the UW–Madison with a minor in business, she likes to say she has become a Swiss army knife as a visionary and results-driven transformational leader with a down-to-earth approach. She has a proven track record of scaling businesses through strategic market insights, operational alignment, and data-driven decision-making while building and leading teams that drive exponential growth and innovation. Wynnie and her husband, Luke, reside in Wales, Wis. and have two children – a son, Nick, and a daughter, Elena.
Rachel Zwieg – Director, Farm & Industry Short Course
Rachel Zwieg graduated from UW Madison’s Farm and Industry Short Course in 2008. She earned both Soil Science and Green Industry certificates. Rachel is an owner/operator at Zwieg’s Maple Acres LLC, a seventh-generation robotic dairy and crop farm. Rachel and her husband Kyle have focused on sustainability efforts and the integration of technology to gain efficiency and economic advantage. Zwieg’s Maple Acres has been the top producing robotic dairy in North America for multiple years. Rachel and Kyle lead the way in preserving farmland by being one of the first 15 farms to enroll in a conservation easement in 2010 through the State of Wisconsin’s PACE Program (Purchase of Agricultural Conservation Easements). Rachel and Kyle were selected as National Outstanding Young Farmers in 2023. The couple have three children, Theodore, and twins Landon and Logan.
Stephanie Hammerly – Membership and Events Coordinator
Stephanie Hammerly joined WALSAA as their Membership and Events Coordinator in 2016. In addition to WALSAA, she works with other organizations in the agricultural and dairy industries. Hammerly is an alumnus of UW-Platteville with a bachelor’s degree in Agribusiness and Animal Science with an emphasis in Communications and Marketing. She resides in Wisconsin Dells, and owns Dreamstone Dairy, a small herd of Polled Holsteins and Red & Whites, with her husband Joel. They have three children, Hannah, Hunter, and Hudson. She is the Board of Education Chair for Trinity Lutheran School, serves as a Director, Board Secretary and Promotion and Engagement Chair for Columbia County Farm Bureau, and serves on the Wisconsin Dells Youth Cheerleading Board of Directors.