Board of Directors

Kevin Sampson

Kevin Sampson is a mechanical engineer for M.P. Industries, Inc. He runs a cow-calf operation in Smith County. Additionally, he produces hay, forage and timber. Kevin is a director of the Smith County Farm Bureau. He has held offices of president and vice president of the county Farm Bureau board and has served on the resolutions committee of the Texas Farm Bureau.

Jack S. Pullen

Jack S. Pullen is a Texas A&M graduate and owns a cow-calf operation in Rockwall County specializing in breeding of club calves. Mr. Pullen is employed as a right-of-way agent for the Texas Department of Transportation. He is president of RCH Water Corporation, president of Rockwall Youth Fair, city councilman for McLendon/Chisholm, member of Rockwall Lions Club, charter member of the Rockwall County A&M Club, former director of the Texas Hereford Association and a member of First Presbyterian Church of Rockwall.

David Alders

Mr. Alders owns and operates Carrizo Creek Corporation, a poultry production business. Mr. Alders is a charter member and current Vice-President of the Board of Texas’ Office of Rural Community Affairs. He serves on the boards of the Pineywoods Groundwater Conservation District, Nacogdoches Economic Development Corporation, Nacogdoches County Chamber of Commerce, Heartbeat Pregnancy Center, and Regents Academy. He also serves on the Executive Committees of the East Texas Regional Water Planning Group, the Nacogdoches County Farm Bureau, and the Texas Forest Country Partnership. He is past Chairman of the Texas Farm Bureau Young Farmer and Rancher Committee, the TFB and AFBF Poultry Advisory Committees, as well as the Texas Broiler Council. He is an elder of Grace Covenant Church in Nacogdoches, and he and his wife, Nicole, have eight children.

Bill Ashworth

Bill Ashworth runs a stocker calf and cow-calf operation in Hunt County and raises high quality hay for the public. He is a retired developer and still constructs custom single family homes on a limited basis. He serves as a director on the board of Hickory Creek Special Utility District, a committee member of the board of Celeste ISD’s facilities committee, a committee member of the building committee of the First Baptist Church of Celeste and is a charter member of the Celeste Lions Club. He is also a member of the Independent Cattlemen’s Association of Texas.

Walter H. Baty, Sr.

Walter H. Baty, Sr. is a retired Educator, having served 30 years as teacher, coach and Administrator in the Shelbyville ISD. He is the owner of the 3-B Ranch, raising Brangus cattle and is a Tyson Poultry Producer. Harold is a community leader, a member of Ephesus Baptist Church, where he teachers the Adult Men's Class, a member of Sam Houston Lodge # 32, a Gideon, and a member and past director of Shelby County Farm Bureau. He also serves on the Shelby County Water Board.

George Hodges

George Hodges owns and operates a cow-calf operation in Anderson County. Mr. Hodges is also a part owner of a family grain farm in Illinois. His past experience includes 28 plus years working for the Farm Credit System. Mr. Hodges was a Commissioned Examiner with the Farm Credit Administration and Vice President with the Farm Credit Bank of Texas. He retired in January 2006 after 7 years as Senior Vice President and Branch Manager for Heritage Land Bank. During his career, Mr. Hodges held numerous chairmanship and leadership positions while working for the Farm Credit System.

Jerry E. Nelson

Jerry E. Nelson owns land in Cass County where he enjoys hunting. He is a CPA and owner of Jerry Nelson & Associates in Tyler. He is a graduate of the University of North Texas and is a member of the Texas Society of CPA’s and the American Institute of Public Accountants. He currently serves on the board of the East Texas Food Bank. Mr. Nelson holds the position of director-elected board member for Heritage Land Bank. Jerry Nelson and his wife, Shari, have two children and attend Grace Community Church in Tyler.

Keith Nicholas

Keith Nicholas owns and operates a 640 acre cow-calf operation in Northern Hunt County, located between Greenville and Commerce. He is a retired U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sergeant and was a Systems Engineer/Flight Test Director with E-Systems in Greenville. He is a past Director of the Hickory Creek Special Utility District. Keith is a member of the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, the American Legion, the National Rifle Association and a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and Air Force Association.