American Royal Association Inc

Kansas City, MO · Founded 1899

Leading national provider of food and agriculture education, competitive events, and community engagement since 1899

Primary audience
Farmers and Students
Work area
Education and Events
Topic
Agriculture and Food
Contact
Jackie McClaskey
Website Contact

About Organization

American Royal Association provides food and agriculture education, livestock competitions, and agricultural events that connect farmers, ranchers, and consumers. Based in Kansas City, MO, the organization operates with 38 employees and 500 volunteers, generating $12.5 million in annual revenue. Founded in 1899, it has served the agricultural community for over 125 years through educational programs and championship events.

What They Focus On

Agricultural Education

Teaching food production science, farming methods, and agricultural industry knowledge to students and the general public

Livestock Excellence

Promoting breeding standards and animal husbandry through competitive shows and professional development for farmers and ranchers

Community Connection

Bridging urban and rural communities through events that showcase food systems and agricultural heritage

Financial Information

Form 990 data showing organizational financial health and growth.

Revenue (2024)

$12.5M

-46.8% vs 2023

Expenses (2024)

$8.4M

+2.9% vs 2023

Assets (2024)

$176.0M

+155% vs 2023

Employees (2024)

38

+11.8% vs 2023

Year Revenue Expenses Assets Employees
2024 $12,486,812 $8,412,018 $175,997,848 38
2023 $23,489,504 $8,177,952 $69,018,776 34
2022 — — — —
2022 $10,079,767 $6,593,046 $34,425,376 31
2021 — — — —
2021 $7,000,256 $6,233,048 $28,283,023 22
2020 — — — —
2020 $10,344,714 $4,367,534 $27,787,587 24
2019 $19,406,850 $6,757,956 $23,628,439 35
2018 $8,083,083 $6,025,801 $8,761,820 35

Source: IRS Form 990 filings. All figures in USD.

How They Work

Learn more
  • 01

    Educational Programming

    Develop curriculum and workshops teaching agricultural science and food production methods to diverse audiences

  • 02

    Event Production

    Organize livestock shows and competitions bringing together farmers, breeders, and agricultural industry professionals

  • 03

    Community Outreach

    Connect urban and rural populations through public events highlighting food systems and farming practices

  • 04

    Partnership Development

    Collaborate with agricultural businesses and institutions to expand educational reach and program impact

Programs and Initiatives

Services and programs offered by American Royal Association Inc

Agricultural Education

Educational programs teaching food production, farming practices, and agricultural science to students and the public

Livestock Competitions

Championship events showcasing breeding stock and connecting farmers with industry professionals and consumers

Community Engagement

Public events and outreach connecting urban and rural communities around food and agriculture topics

Industry Partnerships

Collaborative programs with agricultural businesses supporting education and professional development in farming sectors

Team & Leadership

Meet the people behind American Royal Association Inc.

Jackie McClaskey

Jackie McClaskey

President & CEO
Full-time
Compensation: $241,441
Tim Carroll

Tim Carroll

Chief Financial Officer
Full-time
Compensation: $159,968
Lauren Luhrs

Lauren Luhrs

Director of Partnerships
Full-time
Compensation: $103,740
Pat MacY

Pat MacY

Managing Director
Allyssa King

Allyssa King

Director of Communications
Bill Basler

Bill Basler

Director of Operations
Candy Bradley

Candy Bradley

Receptionist
Kayci Vincent

Kayci Vincent

World Series of Barbecue Manager
Kelli Schrag

Kelli Schrag

Communications Manager
Lauren Gatz

Lauren Gatz

Communications Coordinator
Mae Boedeker

Mae Boedeker

Livestock and Rodeo Coordinator
Maggie Mohrfeld

Maggie Mohrfeld

Director, New Campus Development
Matt Durian

Matt Durian

Livestock Manager
Paula Wheeler

Paula Wheeler

Affiliate Group and Event Manager
Regan Gleason

Regan Gleason

Competitive Educational Activities Coordinator
Sarah Davis

Sarah Davis

Partnership Coordinator
Shane Squire

Shane Squire

Operations Manager
KV

Kyle Vena

Vice President
Full-time
Compensation: $189,000
SB

Sara Befort

COO
Full-time
Compensation: $111,940
HB

Harold Bertz

COO (Thru 5/2024)
Full-time
Compensation: $60,932
AS

Angie Stanland

Bog Co-Vice/Lifetime Director
1 hrs/week
BL

Brant Laue

Lifetime Director
1 hrs/week
BB

Bryan Beaver

Lifetime Director
1 hrs/week
CS

Cynthia Savage

Bog Co-Vice/Lifetime Director
1 hrs/week
DF

David Fowler

Lifetime Director
1 hrs/week
FL

Fred Lyons

Lifetime Director
1 hrs/week
GM

Greg Maday

Lifetime Director
1 hrs/week
HC

Harry Cleberg

Lifetime Director
1 hrs/week
JD

John Dillingham

Lifetime Director
1 hrs/week
JM

John Mitchell Jr

Bog Co-Vice/Lifetime Director
1 hrs/week
MA

Malcolm Aslin

Lifetime Director
1 hrs/week
MK

Mariner Kemper

Lifetime Director
1 hrs/week
MH

Mary Hunkeler

Lifetime Director
1 hrs/week
PL

Pete Lemke

Lifetime Director
1 hrs/week
RP

Robert Petersen

Lifetime Director
1 hrs/week
CT

Charlie Tetrick

Bog 1St Vice Chairman
1 hrs/week
GL

Gordon Lansford

Bog Chairman
1 hrs/week
KW

Ken Wagner

Bod Chairman
5 hrs/week
AH

Alden Harris

Director
AL

Alex Lowe

Director
AP

Amy Polen

Director
AF

Andrew Fahey

Director
AH

Angela Hudson

Director
AK

Ann Konecny

Director
BN

Ben Nichols

Director
BN

Blake Nelson

Director
BB

Bret Borota

Director
CI

Carl Ice

Director
CC

Carol Carlson

Director
DM

David Morris

Director
DS

David Stofer

Director
JW

Jack Ward

Director
JS

Jara Settles

Director
JP

Jeanette Prenger

Director
JY

Jeff Yowell

Director
JG

Jim Gamble

Director
JR

Joe Rebein

Director
JF

John Fuchs

Director
JL

John Lagemann

Director
JM

John Moncke

Director
KH

Kevin Heikes

Director
MK

Mark Kolkhorst

Director
MS

Mark Stewart

Director
MT

Mark Thomas

Director
MB

Megan Bubb

Director
MR

Mike Roos

Director
ML

Missy Love

Director
MO

Molly Olson

Director
NW

Nancy Wilkerson

Director
RR

Randy Reinhardt

Director
RG

Richard Green

Director
RM

Russ Meinhardt

Director
RW

Ryan Wilkerson

Director
ST

Sarah Tate

Director
TC

Tim Congrove

Director
TR

Tony Rohr

Director
TV

Trae Venerable

Director

Milestones

1899

Organization Founded

1899

American Royal Association established to promote agricultural excellence and education in Kansas City

1948

Federal Tax Exemption

1948

Received IRS recognition as tax-exempt educational organization serving agricultural community

2019

Revenue Peak Year

2019

Achieved record revenue of $19.4 million through expanded programming and major events

2023

Campus Expansion

2023

Major revenue increase to $23.5 million supporting new campus development and program growth

Associated People

Board members, advisors, and key contributors

Board of Directors

AH
Alden Harris Director 1.00 hrs/week
AL
Alex Lowe Director 1.00 hrs/week
AP
Amy Polen Director 1.00 hrs/week
AF
Andrew Fahey Director 1.00 hrs/week
AH
Angela Hudson Director 1.00 hrs/week
AK
Ann Konecny Director 1.00 hrs/week
BN
Ben Nichols Director 1.00 hrs/week
BN
Blake Nelson Director 1.00 hrs/week
BB
Brad Bendle Bod Treasurer 5.00 hrs/week
BB
Bret Borota Director 1.00 hrs/week
CI
Carl Ice Director 1.00 hrs/week
CC
Carol Carlson Director 1.00 hrs/week
DM
David Morris Director 1.00 hrs/week
DS
David Stofer Director 1.00 hrs/week
JW
Jack Ward Director 1.00 hrs/week
JS
Jara Settles Director 1.00 hrs/week
JP
Jeanette Prenger Director 1.00 hrs/week
JY
Jeff Yowell Director 1.00 hrs/week
JG
Jim Gamble Director 1.00 hrs/week
JR
Joe Rebein Director 1.00 hrs/week
JF
John Fuchs Director 1.00 hrs/week
JL
John Lagemann Director 1.00 hrs/week
JM
John Moncke Director 1.00 hrs/week
KH
Kevin Heikes Director 1.00 hrs/week
LS
Lindsey Smith Bod Vice Chair 5.00 hrs/week
MK
Mark Kolkhorst Director 1.00 hrs/week
MS
Mark Stewart Director 1.00 hrs/week
MT
Mark Thomas Director 1.00 hrs/week
MB
Megan Bubb Director 1.00 hrs/week
MR
Mike Roos Director 1.00 hrs/week
ML
Missy Love Director 1.00 hrs/week
MO
Molly Olson Director 1.00 hrs/week
NW
Nancy Wilkerson Director 1.00 hrs/week
PM
Pat MacY Director 1.00 hrs/week
RR
Randy Reinhardt Director 1.00 hrs/week
RG
Richard Green Director 1.00 hrs/week
RM
Russ Meinhardt Director 1.00 hrs/week
RW
Ryan Wilkerson Director 1.00 hrs/week
ST
Sarah Tate Director 1.00 hrs/week
TC
Tim Congrove Director 1.00 hrs/week
TR
Tony Rohr Director 1.00 hrs/week
TV
Trae Venerable Director 1.00 hrs/week
WG
Walt George Bod Secretary And Chair-Elect 5.00 hrs/week
CT
Charlie Tetrick Bog 1St Vice Chairman
GL
Gordon Lansford Bog Chairman
KW
Ken Wagner Bod Chairman

Information compiled from IRS Form 990 and organizational materials.

Executive Compensation

Top compensated officers & key employees from IRS Form 990

Total Reported (2024)

$984K

Highest Paid

$272K

Jackie Mcclaskey

Compensated Officers

6

Name Title Base Other Total Hrs/Wk
Jackie Mcclaskey President & CEO $241,441 $30,448 $271,889 40
Kyle Vena Vice President $189,000 $24,975 $213,975 40
Tim Carroll CFO $159,968 $22,401 $182,369 40
Sara Befort COO $111,940 $18,457 $130,397 40
Lauren Luhrs Director Of Partnerships $103,740 $16,852 $120,592 40
Harold Bertz COO (Thru 5/2024) $60,932 $4,147 $65,079 40

Source: IRS Form 990 filings. Compensation includes base and other reported compensation.

COVID-19 PPP Loans

Paycheck Protection Program (2020-2021)

Fully Forgiven

Total Approved

$265K

Total Forgiven

$267K

101% forgiven

Jobs Retained

21

Loan Details 1 loan

$264,700
Forgiven
Forgiven: $266,538 100%
Approved Apr 6, 2020
Lender UMB Bank, National Association
Jobs Reported 21
Forgiven On Dec 16, 2020

Source: Small Business Administration • Paycheck Protection Program (2020-2021)

Partners & Funders

Grant funding relationships from IRS Form 990 filings

$799K Grants Received
4 Organizations

Top Funders

4 total
KF
Kansas Farm Bureau
$600K
UP
United Professional Horsemen's
$103K
UI
University Impact
$88K
FI
Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund
$8K
Kansas Farm Bureau United Professional Horsemen's University Impact Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund
Kansas Farm Bureau United Professional Horsemen's University Impact Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund

Source: IRS Form 990 Schedule I filings. Amounts may span multiple tax years.

Related Organizations

1 affiliated entity reported on IRS Form 990 Schedule R

1

Tax-Exempt Affiliates

1
American Royal Association Charitable Foundation Trust
Kansas City, MO
To Support The Activities Of American Royal Association, Inc.
501(c) 501(C)(3)

Source: IRS Form 990, Schedule R (Related Organizations and Unrelated Partnerships)

Contact

Get in touch with American Royal Association Inc

Phone

(816) 221-9800

Social

Visit Website
1701 American Royal Court Kansas City, MO 64102