Officers and directors for the American Jersey Cattle Association (AJCA) and National All-Jersey Inc. (NAJ) were elected during the organizations’ annual meetings held June 27-28, 2025, in Lexington, Ky.

American Jersey Cattle Association
Alan Chittenden, Schodack Landing, N.Y., was re-elected to a fourth one-year term as President of the AJCA on June 28. A fourth-generation Jersey breeder, Chittenden owns and operates Dutch Hollow Farms LLC with his family, milking 900 Registered Jerseys. Dutch Hollow Farms is enrolled in the REAP program, a long-time advertiser in Jersey Journal, and has contributed to Equity for nearly 50 years. The family received the AJCA Master Breeder Award in 2012. Chittenden has held multiple leadership roles within the association, including General Chair of The All American Jersey Shows & Sales in 2018 and Chair of the All American Sale Committee in 2016. He served as AJCA Director for the Second District from 2014 to 2020.

Cornell Kasbergen, Tulare, Calif., was elected Vice President of the AJCA Board. A director since 2020, he currently serves as Finance Committee Chair.

With redistricting of AJCA membership taking effect in 2025, the following directors will represent the three districts. Newly elected directors will serve for a four-year term. 

First District:

• Elaine Noble, Gillett, Pa. – Elected first term (2029)
• Rebecca Ferry, Johnstown, N.Y. (2026)
• Jason Johnson, Northwood, N.H. (2027)
• Kevin Lutz, Lincolnton, N.C. (2027)
• Joe Vanderfeltz, Lawton, Pa. (2027)

Noble and her family operate Nobledale Jerseys, a 75-cow REAP herd with an m.e. average of 18,667 lbs. milk, 919 lbs. fat, and 709 lbs. protein. She and her husband Stuart were recipients of the 2025 AJCA Master Breeder Award.

Second District:

• Ethan Haywood, Hastings, Mich. – Elected first term (2029)
• Ted DeMent, Kenney, Ill. (2026)
• Ralph Frerichs, LaGrange, Texas (2027)
• John Maxwell, Donahue, Iowa (2026)

Haywood co-operates Sand Creek Dairy LLC, managing the genetics for their 400-cow Jersey herd currently ranked 16th nationally for Jersey Performance Index.

Third District:

• Joe Rocha, Tillamook, Ore. – Elected first term
• Tyler Boyd, Hilmar, Calif. (2026)
• Garry Hansen, Mulino, Ore. (2026)
• Cornell Kasbergen, Tulare, Calif. (2026)

Rocha and his family operate R & R Dairy, milking 1,200 Jerseys and 600 Holsteins, with a 2024 lactation average of 18,189 lbs. milk, 936 lbs. fat, and 663 lbs. protein. The herd includes over 230 Excellent and 1,100 Very Good Jerseys.

Chairs of standing committees for 2025–2026 are Cornell Kasbergen, Finance; Tyler Boyd, Breed Improvement; Ralph Frerichs, Development; and Jason Johnson, Information Technology and Identification.

Retiring AJCA board members Joel Albright, Willard, Ohio, and Donna Phillips, Newton, Wis., were recognized for six years of service.

National All-Jersey Inc.
Corey Lutz, Lincolnton, N.C., was elected President of NAJ on June 26. Lutz, his wife Bridgette, and their children operate Piedmont Jersey Dairy and Riverbend Creamery. The 250-cow REAP herd supplies milk directly to their on-farm creamery and store. Lutz joined the NAJ board in 2022. His election of president succeeds longtime President John Kokoski, Hadley, Mass., who retired after nearly 20 years of service to the NAJ board.

Bradley Taylor, Booneville, Miss., was elected Vice President. He operates Taylor Jersey Farm Inc. with his wife, sons, and parents. The family milks 120 Registered Jerseys enrolled in REAP.

Jonathan Merriam, Hickman, Calif., was elected to a four-year term as Director from District 2. A former AJCA President, Merriam is currently Jersey Program Manager for Semex and Genetics Specialist at Ahlem Farms Partnership. He succeeds Roger Herrera, Hilmar, Calif., who completed two terms on the board.

Joel Albright, Willard, Ohio, was elected to his first four-year term from District 3. A former AJCA board member and vice president, Albright and his family own and operate Albright Jerseys LLC. The dairy is home to 650 milking Jerseys. Albright succeeds John Kokoksi upon his retirement from the board.

Sam Bok, Defiance, Ohio, was re-appointed to a second four-year term by AJCA President Alan Chittenden.

Ex officio directors for NAJ in 2025–2026 are AJCA President Alan Chittenden and AJCA board committee chairs Cornell Kasbergen (Finance) and Ralph Frerichs (Development).