Ownership

     GPP is structured as a Limited Liability Company. As such, the ownership structure of the company is made up of investors in the company. The company is run by the management team under the direction of a twelve-member board of directors made up of nine elected members and three non-voting technical advisors.

Management Structure

     The company's organizational structure is lean and effective. Support staff needs will be outsourced to the American Gelbvieh Association and Affiliates.

Slim Cook, Operations Manager

• Has 14 years of experience as an independent livestock broker.

• For the past six years, Cook has operated his own livestock brokerage and ranch real estate business

• Earned his bachelor’s degree in Animal Science from California State University-Chico

• Holds a master’s degree in Animal Science from Montana State University

Wayne Vanderwert, Chief Executive Officer

• Executive Director of the American Gelbvieh Assoc.

• Holds a PhD in Animal Science from the University of Illinois.

Board of Directors

     A twelve-member board of directors governs the company. Nine of the positions are full voting members. Two members are appointed by the board as non-voting technical advisors. The Executive Director of the American Gelbvieh Association fills the remaining position, also in an advisory, non-voting role.
 

Current Board of Directors

• Steve Munger, Chairman, Mansfield, SD

• John Carrel, Vice-Chairman, Columbus, MT
• Skyler Martin, Secretary, Oregon, IL
• John Burbank, Treasurer, St. Catherine, MO
• Stuart Jarvis, Phillipsburg, KS
• Dave Judd, Pomona, KS
• Scott Starr, Stapleton, NE
• Sam Castleberry, Castroville, TX
• Vaughn Thorstenson, Selby, SD

Appointed Technical Advisors

• Tom Brink, Market Analyst, ContiBeef

• John Butler
   

Association Advisor:

• Wayner Vanderwert, Executive Director, American Gelbvieh Assoc.
   

Relationship with the American Gelbvieh Association

     The company is a separate for-profit business entity operating to provide value to its shareholders.

     The American Gelbvieh Assoc. is the registry for Gelbvieh and Gelbvieh hybrid cattle including Balancer Hybrids, which blend Gelbvieh and Angus genetics.