Cattle producers Cheryl DeVuyst of Oklahoma, Terry Quam of Wisconsin and Kalena Bruce of Missouri are the new leaders of the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion & Research Board (CBB). Elected by their fellow CBB members at the 2026 Cattle Industry Convention in Nashville, this new officer team is responsible for guiding the national Beef Checkoff throughout 2026.

DeVuyst, the 2025 vice chair, is now the CBB’s chair, while Quam will transition from his role as the 2025 secretary-treasurer to become the 2026 vice chair. Bruce is the newest member of the officer team, taking on Quam’s former responsibilities as secretary-treasurer. 

DeVuyst and her husband, Eric, own DeVuyst Ranch, a cow-calf and stocker operation. DeVuyst is also a professor of agricultural economics at Oklahoma State University and head of its Ag Econ department. DeVuyst is involved with numerous agricultural organizations, including Oklahoma CattleWomen, Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), Oklahoma Farm Bureau, Pawnee County CattleWomen, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association and American National CattleWomen. She’s also a faculty advisor for the Oklahoma Collegiate CattleWomen and is a past board member of the Western Agricultural Economics Association.

“As I step into this role, I do so at a pivotal time for the beef industry,” DeVuyst said. “Producers are navigating a challenging environment shaped by tight cattle supplies, rising costs and an increasingly complex marketplace, all while consumer expectations continue to evolve. In moments like this, the role of the Beef Checkoff is more important than ever. It’s an honor to serve as chair of the Cattlemen’s Beef Board and to work alongside other producers and industry partners who share a commitment to protecting and strengthening beef demand.”

Vice Chair Terry Quam operates an Angus seedstock operation, Marda Angus Farms, in Lodi, Wisconsin. Since 1940, the farm has raised cattle that meet the needs of commercial cattlemen and purebred producers throughout the country. Quam has been a longtime, active member of his community and the agricultural industry at large. His activities and leadership roles include the Wisconsin Beef Council, NCBA, Farm Bureau, local and state Cattlemen’s associations, president of the Lodi Agricultural Fair, chairman of the University of Wisconsin Discovery Farms, the Cotton and Wisconsin Corn Boards and Wisconsin Corn Growers.

A fifth-generation farmer from Stockton, Missouri, Kalena Bruce is a licensed CPA with a Bachelor of SCience in accounting from Southwest Baptist University. She is the managing partner of Integrity Squared, a CPA firm she started more than a decade ago. Bruce and her husband, Billy, also run a commercial cow/calf operation. Bruce is a member of Missouri Farm Bureau, NCBA, the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association, the Missouri Young Farmer & Rancher Committee and the American Foundation for Agriculture. She was also a member of Class XVIII Agriculture Leaders of Tomorrow.

“It’s a pleasure to welcome this talented team of officers as they step into their roles for 2026,” said Greg Hanes, CEO of the Cattlemen’s Beef Board. “Their diverse backgrounds, leadership and passion for beef will be instrumental as we continue advancing the Beef Checkoff’s work. I’m excited about what we can accomplish together as we focus on growing demand, strengthening consumer trust and supporting a strong future for the beef industry."

Source: Beef Checkoff