Leadership

Founder & Board Chairman

Forrest Lucas

Forrest Lucas was born and raised in Ramsey, Indiana and still calls the state of Indiana, Home. As the oldest of four, he comes from humble beginnings. In his teens, Forrest went to work on a cattle farm in Harrison County to support his family. After graduating from high school, he took several jobs, from working in a muffler factory to hauling loads in a dump truck. Only three years after high school, he purchased his first semi-truck and began long-haul trucking. Throughout the next decade he purchased more semi-trucks and even a convenience store. Forrest met his wife Charlotte in 1979 and the couple later had a son, Morgan, whom they raised along with their children from previous relationships.

With the need to keep his trucks going down the road, Forrest developed a fascination for mixing oils and additives to improve gas mileage and overall performance in his vehicles. This would lead to the creation of several products and the incorporation of Lucas Oil Products in 1989. Over the last 25 years, Lucas Oil has grown to offer over 100 products sold in the United States and abroad. In addition to founding Lucas Oil, Forrest has been able to pursue many other successful business ventures. The most notable of these ventures can be found in the sporting world. Lucas Oil Stadium has been the home of the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League for nearly a decade, and the Lucas Oil name is prominent in the world of racing, with tracks located in California, Missouri, and Indianapolis.

Mr. Lucas’ lifelong association with agriculture and his passion for our American traditions led him to found Protect The Harvest in 2011. Protect The Harvest, under Forrest Lucas’ guidance, informs and educates the public about the agenda and activities of animal and environmental extremist groups who are working to end animal agriculture, animal ownership and to restrict the rights of property owners.

Besides staying busy with his many business ventures and attending dozens of sporting events throughout the year, Forrest enjoys spending time with his family and taking care of his cattle ranch in Missouri.


Protect The Harvest Board Members

Dale Ludwig – Board President

Dale’s decades of experience in agriculture and agribusiness provide a solid foundation for leading the Protect The Harvest board of directors. He is the founder and current president of Elevation Ag and CEO of AgriNext, both being focused on food, agriculture and energy consulting.

Past positions Dale has held include director/CEO of the Missouri Soybean Association, treasurer of Missouri Farmers Care, vice president of the University of Missouri Ag Foundation, president of the Missouri Dairy Growth Council, chairman of Missouri 4-H Foundation and a member for more than 25 years, chairman emeritus of the Missouri Biotechnology Association, president of the Missouri Ag Research Council and numerous others. He was also president of the University of Missouri Alumni Association and has received academic and agriculture industry recognition for his efforts.

Currently, Dale owns and operates farms in southeast and central Missouri, growing soybeans, corn and wheat, in addition to raising beef cattle. Over time, he became adept at understanding the cumulative effects of market forces and government policy on business practices. He has led numerous efforts aimed at creating collaborative partnerships while navigating federal and state agencies and departments for agricultural organizations.

Dale, his wife, and their three children reside near Linn, Missouri.

 

Jim Haworth – Board Treasurer

Jim has nearly four decades of leadership with major retailers, entertainment/sports organizations and technology companies. He’s personally familiar with agriculture as a cattle rancher and cutting horse breeder.

Currently, Jim is executive chairman of NOWDiagnostics, a biotechnology firm in Springdale, Arkansas, focused on the development of rapid, accurate, over-the-counter, easy-to-administer, point-of-care, diagnostic tests. His past executive leadership includes: president and CEO at Outdoor Cap Company; chairman and CEO at Professional Bull Riders, Inc. (PBR); EVP and president of retail services at Sears Holding Corporation; chairman, president and CEO at Chia Tai Enterprises International Limited CP Lotus. Jim also spent 20 years with Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., rising rose to executive vice president and chief operating officer.

Currently, Jim serves on the board of directors at Conn’s Home Plus and the Western Sports Foundation. He is also a member of the finance and long-range planning committees with the National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA).

Jim and his wife Kathy have three children and seven grandchildren.

 

Mike Siemens, Ph.D. – Director & Executive Director

Mike Siemens is our Executive Director and is an internationally recognized animal welfare and beef cattle genetics subject matter expert. An Indiana native, Mike was raised on a diversified farm operation. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in animal science from Purdue University, followed by a Master of Science in reproductive physiology and a Ph.D. in ruminant nutrition, both from the University of Missouri.

Mike has worked in agribusiness (DeKalb Feeds, Smithfield Foods and Cargill), the academic world (University of Wisconsin as a tenured professor) and currently the technology sector where he is Arrowsight, Inc.’s Global Animal Welfare Officer. He has been a member of animal welfare committees with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), National Pork Producers Council (NPPC), National Pork Board, National Turkey Federation and North American Meat Institute (NAMI). Mike currently serves on numerous North American corporate animal welfare committees or advisory boards. At Cargill, he was global leader for animal welfare and husbandry.

Dr. Siemens has been a member of the Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef and has advised the U.S. and Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef. He is married to Dr. Angie Siemens, Ph.D., Cargill vice president of food safety, quality and regulatory for its North America protein business. They raise Angus cattle and have one son, Nick, a student at Kansas State University.

 

Theresa Lucas McMahan – Board Secretary & Chief Administrative Officer

Theresa is the Chief Administrative Officer for Protect The Harvest and has been with the organization since 2013. Her educational background is in the veterinary technician field and she has been working with animals in multiple occupations since 2006. Her husband has been in law enforcement since 2008 and they have a daughter. Together they also run a missionary group in East Tennessee. Her family raises cattle and they enjoy horseback riding in their spare time. In addition to her commitment to animal welfare, she enjoys hiking, sporting dog events with her Airedale Terrier, and being involved in her community.

 

Glen Klippenstein – Ex Officio

Glen graduated from Pennsylvania State University with a B.S. in Animal Science. He has owned and operated his own family farms in Pennsylvania (1961-1966) and Missouri (1993-present). He was a Missouri State Senator for the 12th district in 1993-1994. He then took office as a Missouri State Representative from 2010-2012.

Past chairman of:

  • Beef Board Operating Committee (1990-1991)
  • Beef Board Producers Communications Committee (1987, 1992)
  • Beef Board Research Committee (1988-1989)
  • American Polled Hereford Association (1983)
  • Director, National Cattleman’s Association (1984-1990)
  • NCA Membership Committee (1987-1989)
  • NCA Priority Issues Committee (1988-1989)
  • NCA Planning & Implementation Committee (1989-1990).

Major achievements:

  • Honorary Alumnus, University of Missouri School of Agriculture
  • Outstanding Ag Alumnus from Penn State University
  • E.O. of American Chianina Association (2000-2009)
  • Presidential appointment to Federal Ag. Mortgage Corporation Board, Chairman Public Policy Committee, Corporate Governance Committee, Compensation Committee, and Credit Committee (2003-2009)
  • Missouri Seedstock Producer of the Year
  • Livestock Man of the Year in Missouri
  • “Mr. Ag” at Penn State University
  • Partner and operator at Glenkirk Farms in Missouri (1966-1993)
  • Judged national cattle shows for 9 breeds along with regional and state shows in the United States and on four continents
  • Hosted as many as 3,000 visitors annually to his family farm

Team Members

Mike Martin – Chief Communications Officer

Betty Doke – Outreach & Project Coordinator

JP Dunn – Director of Policy

Leigh Bloxton – Social Media Coordinator