BISMARCK — The North Dakota Stockmen’s Association (NDSA) has made three recent hirings in its brand inspection and brand recording programs, NDSA Brand Board Chairman Shane Anderson, a rancher from Towner, N.D., announced this week.
Clint Hecker of Arnegard, N.D., was hired as the NDSA’s at-large deputy brand inspector. His responsibilities include investigating livestock crimes, inspecting livestock and registered feedlots, supervising and supporting local brand inspectors, visiting local auction markets and serving as a liaison between law enforcement agencies and the NDSA. He is a fourth-generation rancher. He also served for eight years as a McKenzie County special deputy. He began Feb. 1 and filled a vacant position.
Joan Zimmerman of Bismarck, N.D., was hired as the NDSA’s brand recorder. Her primary responsibilities include maintaining the state’s brand records by renewing, recording and transferring brands, publishing the brand book and its supplements, generating missing livestock reports, permanent horse permits and other brand documents and answering questions for producers and inspectors alike. Zimmerman brings experience previously working as an administrative assistant in the Burleigh County Auditor’s/Treasurer’s Office and as the city auditor for the City of Washburn. She began March 1.
Corby Ward of Bismarck, N.D., was hired as the NDSA’s chief brand inspector. Ward will be training for his new role with longtime employee and current Chief Brand Inspector Blaine Northrop. He will fully assume the chief responsibilities when Northrop retires on July 1, 2022. As chief, Ward will oversee the brand inspection program and work to protect livestock against loss and theft. He has been a part of the NDSA’s brand inspection team, working as a market inspector at Kist Livestock Auction in Mandan, N.D., since 2019. Before assuming work with the NDSA, he managed an Oshoto, Wyo., ranch and was the cow boss for a Chinook, Mont., ranch.
The NDSA still has some positions to fill. Among them: the east river deputy brand inspector position, which will be vacant once longtime employee Fred Frederikson of Dahlen, N.D., retires this spring, and two market inspection positions.
The North Dakota Stockmen’s Association is a 92-year-old beef cattle trade organization. Its mission is to unite, protect, promote, educate and serve the state’s beef industry. The organization also administers the brand recording and brand inspection programs on behalf of the state. For more information, visit www.ndstockmen.org.
