IAA Director’s Meeting December 6, 2025 Minutes

Indiana State Fair Grounds Administration Office

December 7, 2026

1:30 pm

Welcome & Call to Order by Joe Horstman at 1:31 pm – Those is attendance: Officers- Joe Horstman, Carla West, Deanna Hofing, Melanie Ritz, Julie Innis, Past President Clint Coverdale. Directors: Jim Lindley, Les Carmichael, Sandy Carmichael, Kevin Newman, Dr. Phil Howell, Jerritt Ross, Kevin Swaim, Jef Innis, Ryan Otis,Dr. Bruce Lamb attended in person but virtually, Other- Julia Wickard, Krista Stillwell, Liz Jenson, Loran Wilson, Kathy Wilson, Linda Lindley, Nick Innis.

Secretary’s Report- Julie Innis presented the Secretary’s Report. Liz Jenson made a motion to accept the report as presented. The motion was 2^nd by Dr. Phil Howell. The motion passed unanimously.

Treasurer's Report- Melanie Ritz presented the Treasurer’s Report as well as the projected budget. - see attached- She noted that she split out Eastern Regional funds on this report as well as having a CD coming up for renewal soon and she would look into renewing the CD. Liz Jenson made a motion to accept the Treasurer’s Report as presented. Carla West 2^nd that motion. The motion was voted on and passed unanimously.

Communications Committee Report- Joe Horstman explained Krista Stillwell had recently presented a new contract proposal with price increases. Krista Stillwell presented to our group that this was overall a good year for the Angus News, however, the October issue continues to get smaller as far as content and advertising each year. This has been a trend for over 10 years. She suggested we may look at 4 issues plus the Directory vs. 5 issues of the News, possibly eliminating the October issue.  She explained we could save $1500.00 if we did not publish this month’s News. She also stated she was open to changing dates of published issues if we thought that would help.  Joe Horstman then stated Krista would leave the room so we could discuss and vote on her proposed price increases for her contracted services. He stated the contract we are operating under with Krista Stillwell is still the same pricing as it was 5 years ago. We have not negotiated with her since then.  She has proposed a $250.00 a month price increase for her services-see proposed budget. He then asked Carla West to explain what the Auxiliary had agreed to do in their meeting earlier today. Carla shared the Auxiliary had voted to absorb $100.00 per month of Krista’s monthly charges for services she provides for the Auxiliary. Discussion took place regarding her proposal. A motion was made by Dr. Howell to accept the proposed rate increase for the next two calendar years 2026 & 2027.  Melanie Ritz 2^nd the motion. The motion was voted on and passed unanimously. The Communications Committee will research improvement ideas for increasing membership and participation of members with Krista.

Budget & Finance Report-Kevin Swaim reported and voiced concerns with income vs outgoing costs. See attached.

Activities & Show Report-Joe Horstman announced Julia & Chris Wickard will be co-chairman of the Jr. Preview Show. Julia gave an update. She shared they are working on procuring a grant through Boone County to help offset costs. They are in the process of building their committee. Dates are set for June 20^th -21^st 2026, set up starting on the 18^th. They plan to continue with the fellowship dinner. She shared contract updates with the fairgrounds. $4200.00 for the rental of buildings, plus $1000-2000.00 for mulch. $500.00 downpayment must be pd by Jan. 5^th. Maximum payment for the fairgrounds would not exceed $6200.00. She is currently working with the Hereford Assoc. to see if we can share cost for mulch. She is working with Makenzi Padgett on awards. She is looking at revamping sponsorship forms and processes. She is wanting to purchase a new backdrop banner at a cost of $450.00 NS is looking for sponsors to perhaps sponsor the backdrop. She is also investigating a dedicated photographer on site for candid and backdrop photos. We voted on a slate of judges for the Open Show at preview. John McCurry, Lydel Meier, Ryan Rash were the top 3. 

Membership Report-Liz Jenson presented we have187 pd memberships.  5 of those memberships are new- 6 have pd for 2026 already. She makes phone calls and sends emails and asks directors for suggestions on what we can do to bring in more members. She shared feedback she has received from some who have not renewed their memberships. Joe Horstman suggested a recruiting drive by the directors or directors to each recruit new members. He then asked for feedback from two regional assoc. that are active and have several members as to what they are doing or why does it appear they have active participation. It was shared that both the Southern and West Central Regionals have events, they have speakers, they meet socially as well.  Joe stated our future leadership may look in a different direction for what we can offer for our membership.

History Report Kevin Swaim reported he will be meeting with the new coordinator of the museum. 

Annual Dinner Report-Joe Horstman announced he set the date for our annual meeting for Feb.28^th at Stookey’s, Thorntown IN. Times will be announced closer to the date. 

Auxiliary Report-Carla West announced royalty contest winners. Jr. Princesses- Caroline Sankey, Caroline Sankey   Princess- Emma Miller, Queen Mercedez Ferree

Junior Report- Deanna Hofing reported they increased their attendance at their December meeting held Friday night at Beef Congress by 5 times the number of participants than last year. They elected officers at this meeting.  National Junior American Angus Board representative is Bryce Hofing. Juniors voted on judges for the Junior Preview Show this June. With John Jacobs or Brad Winegarden winning the top two spots. The news Jr. Advisor coming on for a three-year term is Kylie Carr. Next year Karson Zenor has agreed to join the team as a Jr. Advisor. 

Old Business-Eastern Regional updates Joe Horstman shared he has been in regular contact with Kaitlyn and we do not have a contract yet with Tippecanoe Fair Grounds, but we anticipate having one in January. $60,000.00 is what we as a state need to raise for the show. Joe shared we are working on committees and who will serve on what committee.

New Business-Kevin Newman suggested we donate money for the Eastern Regional. There was discussion regarding this, and it was decided to table this and discuss it at the February meeting. 

By Laws Review-Julie Innis suggested we revisit a By Law Review Committee. Volunteers for this were. Dr.  Bruce Lamb, Julia Wickard, Les Carmichael, Joe Horstman, Julie Innis.

Nomination of officers- Clint Coverdale presented a slate of officers for the 2026-27 year. - Pres. Carla West, Pres. Elect Deanna Hofing, Vice President Andrew Stewart, Treasurer Melanie Ritz, Secretary Julie Innis. The floor was open for nominations there were no nominations from the floor. A motion to accept the slate of officers was made by Dr. Phil Howell, the motion was 2^nd by Kevin Swaim. The motion was voted on and passed unanimously.  

 A motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Les Carmichael and 2^nd by Kevin Swaim. The motion passed unanimously with adjournment at 3:09 pm.