Will Banks, Cynthiana, Ky., joined the AHA as the upper Midwest region field representative Sept. 21. He will serve Territory 5, which includes Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

In his role, Banks will attend Association and breed events, shows, sales and meetings, serving as a liaison between the AHA and its members. He’ll visit with Hereford breeders and commercial users of Hereford genetics to provide valuable industry insight and promote Association programs. Banks will work alongside the 1881 Creative team to tailor marketing plans for seedstock producers and make connections across the industry, from commercial cow-calf producers to feedlot managers, to build demand for Hereford genetics.

“I’m humbled and truly honored to be joining Team Hereford. There’s no secret that the breed has a longstanding legacy and commitment to excellence in both the seedstock and commercial sectors alike,” Banks says. “I’m excited to get on board during the midst of a historic yet volatile time in our business. Over the next few years, as we navigate a herd rebuild, market uncertainty and sustainability practices for a growing population, I look forward to networking with our cattlemen and serving the breeders who make Hereford cattle a staple in the beef industry.”

He graduated Kansas State University (K-State) with a degree in animal science emphasizing beef production management, after he received his associate degree in animal science from Hutchison Community College. Banks was a member of both collegiate livestock judging teams, along with K-State’s national champion meat animal evaluation team. He passed along his experience as the assistant livestock judging coach at Hutchison, before he graduated K-State in 2024.

Recently, Banks served as the risk mitigation coordinator for the Bluegrass Marketing Group, where he ensured safe livestock handling, sorted and evaluated sale cattle, built valuable relationships with customers and provided cattle market insights. Banks also enjoyed working with his family’s Red Angus operation, Walking W Livestock, where he helped merchandise seedstock and show prospects, along with 32 West Stock Farm, a commercial cattle operation.

“We are thrilled to have Will join the AHA team,” says Kane Aegerter, AHA director of seedstock marketing. “His passion for the industry, strong educational background, and experience in both the commercial and seedstock sectors make him uniquely qualified for this role. We are confident he will be an outstanding asset for the breeders of Territory 5 and will play an important role in advancing the mission and service of 1881 Creative and the American Hereford Association.”

Banks can be reached at wbanks@hereford.org or 859-954-1563.