Nominating Committee - Great Plains

2025-2026 Nominating Committee Candidates

Candidate information includes a brief description of their farming operation, role in that operation, and/or business experience.

GREAT PLAINS

Chandler Cupp – Scott City, KS

I own and manage a farm and ranch in 13 counties in Kansas and Colorado and have rental houses in Manhattan which my son manages. Formerly worked at a commercial bank and 2 Farm Credit associations. In the past, I was a partial owner of four banks and am currently a minor shareholder in a bank in Indiana. Have owned 50% of an insurance agency which I managed and was a part owner of a sale barn. 

Stacey Foos – Dighton, KS

Our family owns and operates a farming and ranching business, Foos Farms Inc., in Lane County, Western Kansas. We have approximately 100 heads of cattle per year, 2,500 acres of dry land and 2,000 acres of dryland and sorghum.

Max Haverfield – Winona, KS

My brother Heath and I own a 4,500-acre ranching and farming operation, continuing a proud legacy as fourth-generation ranchers. Our operation primarily focuses on raising stocker cattle, with a smaller interest in cultivating corn and wheat. As the manager of the ranch, I oversee the business aspects, working closely with our ranch foreman and contractors to ensure smooth operations. My responsibilities include strategic decision-making, herd management, crop production planning, and infrastructure oversight, all while driving the operation’s profitability and sustainability.

After earning my Master of Business Administration, I have been able to apply advanced skills in marketing, business analysis, and strategic planning to enhance our ranch’s operations. This has included improving our financial forecasting, optimizing resource allocation, and identifying growth opportunities in both ranching and farming. These tools have allowed us to remain competitive in an ever-changing agricultural market while maintaining our commitment to sustainable and efficient practices.

In addition to managing the ranch, I hold a real estate license specializing in agricultural real estate. This additional business experience has given me in-depth knowledge of land valuation, market trends, and lending, including private financing, credit unions, and the Farm Service Agency. My work in real estate complements my ranching role by sharpening my ability to evaluate investments, navigate financial challenges, and strategically position our operation for long-term success.

By blending generations of hands-on ranching experience with modern business expertise, I’ve been able to strengthen our operation’s foundations and position it for continued growth and sustainability in the future.

David Rodriguez – Ulysses, KS

Family farm operation located in Grant County, KS with my in-laws. We grow wheat, corn, milo and have ground in CRP. I have 15 years of bank experience as a Commercial Loan officer at one of our local Community Banks. I focused on working with farmers to ensure we had a good understanding of their farm operation, and they had a good understanding of our expectations from the bank side of things during their renewal period. Farm visits, phone and text contact throughout the year to ensure their operation remained successful.

Prior to my retirement, I worked the last 10+ years in Senior Management for a local Cooperative. I was CEO, Director of Finance, and Director of Public Relations, working internally with employees assisting them with agronomy products and financial information for our farm customers. I worked with Senior Staff to work on finances, issues and/or concerns, and strategic planning. 

Gwen Wells – Marienthal, KS

I am a fifth-generation Western Kansas farmer and rancher. My husband and I farm and ranch in Wichita, Logan, Lane, and Ness counties. We are primarily dryland farmers and grow wheat, sorghum and corn. We also raise commercial Red Angus cattle and have a small feedlot. I am involved in the daily operations on our farm and ranch, as well as on the business side of things. I manage the books for our two entities and handle a portion of the programs we participate in through the FSA/NRCS.