Standing Committees

Animal Issues & Concerns

Kelly Peebles (NMGRA) wrangler@comcast.net

Annual Convention

Scotty Shadix (GSGRA) ScottyShadix@yahoo.com

Archives

Brian Rogers (NGRA) bhr9@cox.net Brian grew up in Texas where he developed a love for the sport of rodeo. After 10 years in New Hope Pennsylvania, Brian moved to Las Vegas to pursue a career in Gaming. He joined NGRA in 1996 and has been an active member on the NGRA Rodeo Planning Committee since 1996. He has served the association in many capacities including President, Rodeo Director (three times), Assistant Rodeo Director, Treasurer and Trustee these past three years. Brian’s IGRA accomplishments include a four year stint as Rodeo Resources Chairperson, during which he created the Rodeo Resources Guidebook still in use today. As IGRA University Chancellor for three years he reinvigorated that program and greatly expanded the curriculum. Additional responsibilities include three years on the IGRA Executive Committee as Division I chair, IGRA Convention 2000 Co-Chair and Division I Country/Western Dance Competition Committee Chair. For the past three years Brian has served on the World Gay Rodeo Finals committee; first as Assistant Rodeo Director for two years and in 2010 as Rodeo Director. He now serves as Committee Chair for the IGRA Archives Committee. Brian’s recent joined the Gay and Lesbian Rodeo Heritage Foundation as a Director. Brian is committed to the mission of IGRA and NGRA; Sportsmanship, Camaraderie, Service to the Community and Preservation of the Western Lifestyle.

Arena Directors

Heather Murray (ARGRA) ChuteChickEh@yahoo.ca In the traditional voice of Mini Pearl…Howdy! Like the song says… “It’s the dust and the mud, it’s the bulls and the blood, and it’s the roar of a Saturday & Sunday crowd…” The rodeo life is completely in this girl’s blood. Raised in Alberta Canada, she calls Calgary her home along with her partner and many critters. Heather has been a member of ARGRA since 1995, during which she has been very actively involved at many levels of ARGRA leadership and the production of its rodeos. She has been involved with rodeo at the IGRA level for the past eight years where she has competed and gained her chute coordinator certification and now her Arena Director certification. She has held the position of ARGRA’s president from 2005-2009 term. She feels very honored to have been asked to hold this position by her peers, and is very enthusiastic in her new position. Please feel free to e-mail her with any concerns or questions in regards to the Arena Directors program.

Auditors, Secretaries & Scorekeepers

Ron Trusley (AGRA) rtrusley@cox.net

Budget

David G. Hill (CGRA) david.hill@igra.com David began as a volunteer in the contestant’s office for a professional rodeo in 1980 and he continues his involvement with that rodeo. He attended his first Rocky Mountain Regional Rodeo in 1984 and moved to Denver later that year and immediately became involved with CGRA. The next year, he began as a dance chairperson and moved up to treasurer rodeo weekend. He has been on the C.G.R.A. board, as treasurer, for several years. He also is the treasurer for I.G.R.A. David became the first rodeo auditor when the position was created within I.G.R.A. and remains in that position.

Bylaws

Benjamin Avant (NGRA) benjamin@BenjaminAvant.com Benjamin joined the Nevada Gay Rodeo Association in 1996 and hit the ground running as a delegate, and member of the Bylaws Committee, in Omaha at his first IGRA convention. From 1996 to 2004, he had many roles in NGRA, including Mr. NGRA, state convention coordinator, parliamentarian, Vice President, President, and IGRA Trustee. Benjamin has served as chairman of the IGRA Bylaws Committee since 2000. He has also served as Parliamentarian for the IGRA Annual Convention since 2003.

Chute Coordinators

Jay Beck (RRRA) shchutes@hotmail.com Growing up in the Arizona desert, rodeo was something that my uncles and cousins in Texas were a part of, but I only saw the cowboys and cowgirls of the rodeo when they came to town once a year. But having all those relatives involved in rodeo must have put it in my blood, because once I came out and heard about TGRA and IGRA, rodeo became a major part of my life. I began working behind the chutes in 1992, and have enjoyed being a part of many rodeos all over the country ever since. I still leave every rodeo I work, wishing I could do it again next weekend. In May, 2008, at the Great Plains Rodeo, the first association that honored me with an invitation to serve as Chute Coordinator, I celebrated 10 years in that capacity. I have had the pleasure of being the Chute coordinator at 4 Finals Rodeos.

Community Outreach, Fundraising and Gender Diversity

Miss IGRA Sabel D’Zyre aka Joel Castillo (NGRA) joel.castillo@igra.com Sabel is from fabulous Las Vegas, NV, aka Sin City or The Showgirl Capital of the World!  I am Sabel D’ Zyre, Miss IGRA 2013.  I was born in Mexico City, Mexico on July 4, 1971.  I have been in Las Vegas since 1973.  In 1996, I ran off to “join the circus” and my boy persona played a 7-year stint in Orlando, FL working and performing for Walt Disney World, Universal Studios Orlando, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, and Nickelodeon Recreation.  I returned to Las Vegas in 2004 and I joined NGRA back in 2008 after experiencing my first rodeo as a Timer for BigHorn Rodeo.  I was immediately hooked!  I volunteered at several rodeos across the IGRA circuit and served as Assistant Rodeo Director for BigHorn 14 & 15. My “drag career” began back in 1993, when I ran for the title of Miss Vegas Gay Pride for Las Vegas’ first Pride Pageant competition and won.  During the competition, I was asked a question by the then current Miss Gay Las Vegas, Tasha Lee, that I’ve never forgotten.   “What qualities do you think the winner of Miss Vegas Gay Pride should embody?”  My answer was simple, and it applies today.  I said, “I think the qualities she should embody are the qualities all of us contestants should embody – irrespective of our entertainment vehicle.”  What I mean with that is that we are volunteers donating our time, talents, and resources to help our associations grow that, in turn, help our LGBT Communities thrive.  I plan to carry that mantra onto the IGRA Rodeo Circuit as well. We don’t do this for the accolades or even recognition.  We do it because we love our community, our organization, and we come from a selfless place to achieve this.  This question, I think, echoes my sentiments and has shaped how I see this roller coaster we call fundraising for charity.  I am so honored, and excited, to be in the company of Frank, Laine, John, & Curtiss as part of the 2013 IGRA Royalty Team.

Mr. IGRA Frank Thompson (OGRA) frank.thompson@igra.com Frank is from Macomb, Oklahoma, where he lives on the family Ranch.  Starting at the age of 9, Frank has won numerous awards from various Associations such as the American Quarter Horse Association, American Paint Horse Association, Future Farmers of American and the Oklahoma State Round Up Club’s Association.  Frank and his family work with Redlands Collage in El Reno, Oklahoma with the process of embryo transfers with their prized herd of Show Goats & Lambs.  In his spare time, Frank volunteers at the community food bank, Other Options Inc., teaching children the proper technique in showing their livestock and raising money for various organizations across Oklahoma, Texas and Arkansas.

Dance

	Gene Fraikes (TGRA) International Country/Western Dance Chair genefraikes@gmail.com I first got involved with IGRA when I joined the Texas Gay Rodeo Association back in 1998. I competed in my first rodeo and I was hook. Over the last 13 years I have competed in many many rodeos and have won several buckles. I have been invited to IGRA Finals rodeo numerous times. But above all of this I learned the meaning of friendship and helping others. In TGRA I have served in most positions at the Chapter Board level as well as Vice President and Trustee on the TGRA State Board of Trustees. In 2000 I got involved with TGRA’s royalty program and became Mr. TGRA 2001. Then as some of us Mr’s do I ran for Miss TGRA 2007 and became 1st runner up. Can you believe it, I got beat by a REAL drag queen…go figure. As Vice President of IGRA I hope to bring a unique combination of contestant, royalty and operational experience to IGRA and continue a long legacy of great accomplishments.
.
	Wade Earp (TGRA) International Country/Western Dance Competition Coordinator earpram@aol.com

Finals Rodeo

Janie Van Santen (ARGRA) dewintoncowgirl@hotmail.com

Gay Games

Judy Munson (ARGRA) Email Judy

Growth/Alliances

TBD (XXXX) Email

Hall Of Fame

Roger Bergmann (GSGRA) CanyonTrvl@aol.com Roger grew up in Montana where he loved going to watch the annual rodeo. After high school Roger spent his summers working on a Registered Polled Hereferd ranch, where one of his tasks was grooming the “show cattle” and driving them to shows around the west, including the Portland International, and the Grand National at the San Francisco Cow Palace. Roger is a Charter Member of the Golden State Gay Rodeo Association, and was in attendance at the first International Gay Rodeo Association (IGRA) Convention in 1985. Roger was President of IGRA in 1993, ’94, and ’95, and judged many of the IGRA rodeos for over 16 years.

Health & Safety

Amy Griffin (ILGRA) Email Amy

IGRA University

Ray Ostman (GWGRA) rmpho2@aol.com

Internet Technology

Larry Lindstrom (CGRA) Larry.Lindstrom@igra.com Larry has been an active member for 19 years. He started competing in the camp events in the mid-80s winning his first buckle in Steer Decorating in 1988. From there he was elected to the CGRA board as secretary and then became their 5th president and presided for 3 years in the early 90s. He was also their rodeo director five times during this decade.

Joint Certification

Randy Edlin (TGRA) Email Randy Randy joined TGRA after a trip to Calgary back in 1999, where he discovered the Canadian Rockies International Rodeo. He quickly became very active within TGRA. I have served various offices on the State Board of Trustees as well as on the Austin Chapter Executive Committee. He began competing in several of the IGRA Rodeo Events in 1999 and continue to do so today. Randy has served as Mr. TGRA 2007 and as Mr. IGRA 2008 1st Runner Up. He has chaired the 2012 and 2013 TGRA Rodeo Schools and is currently working on the 2014 Rodeo School

Judges

Michael Lentz (ASGRA) GmLentz@yahoo.com Michael Lentz has been involved in the work of IGRA since 1991. He was the Founding President of the Atlantic States Gay Rodeo Association in 1991 and served two years in that role. He served three full terms as IGRA Trustee representing ASGRA from 1994 to 1999 and from 2003 through 2005; in 1998 and 1999 he was the Chairman of the IGRA Board of Trustees. He was the first IGRA Animal Issues Committee Chairman in 1993 and 1994 where he led the effort to create and adopt the original IGRA Statement of Animal Welfare; he was the Rodeo Growth Committee Chairman from 1995 to 1999 and 2005 to present; he was Special Projects Committee Chairman in 2000 and 2001 where he developed a multi-year historical analysis of IGRA competition and attendance which he still maintains. He has been an instructor/moderator for the IGRA University from 2003 through 2007 and has been an IGRA certified rodeo judge since 1998. He is president of an economic consulting firm and lives in North Bethesda, Maryland with his partner Rob and their son Zachary.

Membership

Larry Lindstrom (CGRA) larry.lindstrom@igra.com Larry has been an active member for 19 years. He started competing in the camp events in the mid-80s winning his first buckle in Steer Decorating in 1988. From there he was elected to the CGRA board as secretary and then became their 5th president and presided for 3 years in the early 90s. He was also their rodeo director five times during this decade.

Nominating

Frank Mazzo (TGRA) frankmazzo@gmail.com Frank has been a member of TGRA since 2001, and is an active competitor on the IGRA Rodeo circut. Frank currently serves as the TGRA State Treasurer and lives in Azle Texas.

Presidents

	Bruce Roby(NGRA) Email Bruce
	Randy Edlin (TGRA) Email

Rapid Assist

TBD (XXXX) Email

Regional Rodeos

Tom Sheridan (ILGRA) Email Tom

Rodeo Rules

James Jenkins (CGRA) Email James Coming Soon

Strategic Planning

TBD (XXXX) Email Coming Soon

Social Media

Kole Hillman (FGRA) rodeokole@gmail.com An avid rodeo supporter, contestant and crew, Kole has been a member of SEGRA, GGRA, and a founding member of FGRA. She was Rodeo Director-Arena, for the Inaugural Sunshine Stampede Rodeo in 2006 for FGRA and served on the Executive board as the Member-At-Large position. She was the Volunteer Coordinator and in 2009 & 2010 with Voni Whitaker, and was the Assistant Rodeo Director for 2012 for FGRA. She is currently in the Chute Coordinator program and has worked Chutes and as Asst. Arena Director for many other rodeos. She serves on several other executive boards for 501(c)(3) Corporations and works as Director of Marketing & Social Media for the 15th largest Crane & Equipment company in the world, and is bringing her expertise in marketing and social media to IGRA to help increase our reach and get our message out. Kole and her partner Voni live in Plant City, FL with their children.

Website Content

Don Harris (FGRA) donaldbharris@gmail.com Don has been involved in gay rodeo since joining SEGRA in 2004. He quickly got involved, and became webmaster for the Georgia Gay Rodeo Association (GGRA) which formed after SEGRA split into SMRA (Smoky Mountains), FGRA (Florida) and GGRA (Georgia). Don’s GGRA website won the “IGRA Website Award” in 2005. As fate would have it, Don met his future husband James at the DC rodeo in 2007. The next summer Don and James were legally married in the rodeo arena at the Calgary rodeo, and they honeymooned at the San Diego rodeo, so IGRA is in their blood. Don assumed the lead web developer role in 2011, and in doing so implemented a website content management system which allows for distributed management of the site.

Womens Outreach

Kami Boles (FGRA) luckydrkprincess@hotmail.com Kami Boles grew up in Gardner, Kansas with her mother and two sisters. While being raised in Gardner, she became a Girl Scout at age of 12 and a charter member of the LEO’s Club, which is an honorary group that is active in it’s community by doing many different outreach projects such as volunteering at nursing homes, high-way clean up, and helping with other various community needs.  Within two years she was voted President of the LEO’s Club, for which she held for the following four years until her graduation from high school. Shortly after graduation she moved to Florida to participate in the Walt Disney World Career Start program. While being accepted into the program she now had the chance to meet and work with people from all over the world.  When the program ended she remained in Florida working for Disney as a lifeguard for three years before returning home.  In August of 2009 she returned home and to the LEO’s Club. While reestablishing the LEO’s Club she came across a connection with Missouri Gay Rodeo Association (MGRA). This has proven to be the most rewarding experience since her return back to Kansas. She has been a member of MGRA since 2010.  During these few short years, she has collected so many amazing memories, friends, and extensive knowledge of rodeo as a whole. You can always see her volunteering at one of the many rodeos’ across the circuit as one of the Arena Crew team members. She felt blessed to represent Missouri in 2011 as Ms. MGRA, and she represented the International Gay Rodeo Association as Ms. IGRA, 2012. ”I look forward to seeing all of my rodeo family out on the circuit and I wish nothing but the utmost safety for each competitor, spectator, volunteer, and of course all the animals involved. I’m proud to be a part of an organization that promotes a culture I’m so in love with, feel at home with, and most of all, I can be myself.