American Farmers & Ranchers elects leaders at annual convention
Voting delegates at the recent 2018 AFR convention elected one new leader and re-elected three current leaders for their board of directors and officers. The voting took place during the second day of the three-day annual convention at the Embassy Suites Hotel and Convention Center in Norman, Oklahoma.
Elected to represent the Southeast as agent director of District 4 was Randy Gilbert, Tecumseh. Gilbert and his wife, Suzanne, own and operate Gilbert Insurance Agency. They also operate a cow/calf business, Crossing Hearts Ranch, an agri-tourism venue, and a family trucking business. Gilbert is a graduate of Tecumseh High School and Oklahoma State University. He began his career as an agriculture education instructor in Lawton. Gilbert serves on the Arvest Bank Board, Oklahoma Youth Expo, State Board of Career and Technology Education, chairman of the Oklahoma FFA Foundation, president of the Southwest American Livestock Foundation and is past chairman of the Shawnee and Tecumseh Chamber of Commerce.
Re-elected to represent the Southwest Independent District 2 was Joe Ed Kinder, Frederick. Kinder has served the organization in many capacities since his first involvement in the late 1950s. His service includes the AFR/OFU policy committee and by-laws committee, the NFU policy committee and the NFU policy working group. He also participated in the organization’s legislative action “fly-ins” to Washington, D.C. In addition to his work with AFR/OFU, Kinder has served on the Tillman County Rural Water District #1 for 12 years and on the Chattanooga Town Board for 18 years. He was chairman of the Chattanooga Public Works Authority and chairman of the Chattanooga Airport Board. He has also served on the Oklahoma Wheat Growers Association Board and chaired the Red River Terrace Water Authority.
John Porter, Edmond, was re-elected to serve as the organization’s vice president. Porter is a graduate of Quay High School and Central State University, now UCO. He has a rich heritage with the company as his grandfather and parents were agents in addition to his brother. During his 36-plus year career with AFR/OFU, he worked in insurance claims and as an AFR Insurance agent. He currently owns Porters Insurance Agency in Edmond. Porter was inducted into the Oklahoma Softball Hall of Fame as a player, participant and member of the Player Youth Program. He is also a retired Oklahoma high school sports referee for basketball and football.
Kyndell Nichols, Fairview, was re-elected to represent the Northwest Agent District 1 position. After graduation from Oklahoma State University with a bachelor’s degree in ag economics and accounting, he returned to the family farm to work with his father and with his mother in the insurance and real estate business. Nichols has been an agent for AFR/OFU since 1985. He now runs the farming operation and has expanded a registered Hereford cattle herd with the help of his two sons, Levon and Lathan. As an active AFR member, he has served on the policy committee, attended Washington D.C. fly-in and participated in a special advisory committee to the Board of Directors. As an agent, Nichols served on the Agents Association Executive Council and served on a special committee appointed by the Board to review the agent’s contract. Nichols has been an active leader in his community for 25 years serving on the County Fair Board and is a charter member of the Ringwood Lions Club. He was a member of the Oklahoma Hereford Association Board and served as president.