The American Agricultural Law Association welcomed its new president-elect, Ashley Ellixson of Arizona, and directors, Chelsea Good of Kansas and Kale Van Bruggen of Minnesota. They took office during the association’s annual educational symposium, Nov. 7–9, 2024, in Memphis, Tennessee.
They join the association’s new president, Brandon Davis of Louisiana; immediate past president, Jake Parker of North Carolina; and returning directors Marisa Bocci of Washington state, Whitney Ivey of North Carolina, Cort Jensen of Montana and Kristine Tidgren of Iowa on the 2024–2025 board of directors.
Finishing their service on the board were 2023–2024 past president Jeff Peterson of Minnesota and retiring directors Brianna Schroeder of Indiana and Julia Schatz of Ontario.
“Thank you to all the candidates who put up their names for consideration during this year’s election,” said Peterson, who chaired the nominations committee. “We appreciate the nominees, new and outgoing board members, and the many volunteers who devote service to AALA.”
A recognized expert in business operations, strategy development, legal governance, sustainability, and commodity sales and trading, Ellixson has a proven track record of success in the dairy industry. Most recently serving as the chief commercial officer at the United Dairymen of Arizona, she built a global commodity trading team from scratch, marketing products throughout the Americas, LATAM, and EMEA. The role involved aggressive growth of PnL results through strategic implementation, talent development, and a customer-focused approach, bolstered by scalable electronic systems.
Previously, as chief business operations officer, Ellixson was instrumental in aligning business operations with sales opportunities, implementing inventory management technologies, and enhancing employee retention through HR process overhauls. In the role of executive vice president of legal and risk management, she led departments across legal, HR, IT, and communications, contributing to company-wide strategic planning and overseeing significant corporate legal functions.
Her career began with legal and environmental affairs, where strategic legislative priorities were developed and executed at both state and national levels. Her expertise extends to lobbying, litigation oversight, and sustainability strategy.
With a diverse educational background, including an LL.M. in agricultural and food law from the University of Arkansas School of Law, a JD from Texas Tech University, and a bachelor’s degree in business finance from Arizona State University, Ellixson combines legal acumen with business savvy. She is actively involved in various industry boards and committees, including the United States Dairy Export Council, the International Dairy Foods Association, and the American Ag Law Association, demonstrating a commitment to advancing the dairy and legal industries through leadership and innovation.
“I am honored to be president-elect of the AALA,” Ellixson said. “I look forward to collaborating with the board and our members to continue to strengthen our community, serve its needs, and ensure its long-term success.”
Van Bruggen is a shareholder at Rinke Noonan Law Firm in Saint Cloud, Minnesota, where he concentrates his practice in agriculture and water law and environment and natural resources. He primarily represents clients on administrative and litigation matters, including NRCS certified wetland determinations, Clean Water Act compliance, wetland banking and mitigation, conservation easements, Minnesota’s Wetland Conservation Act and public waters law, and drainage permitting laws in North Dakota. In Minnesota, he represents counties and watershed districts in their capacities as drainage authorities, and in North Dakota, county water resource districts on matters pertaining to establishment, construction, and management of water drainage systems and water quality enhancing projects. In the courtroom, he represents farmers and landowners on matters pertaining to water and drainage law. He is licensed in Minnesota, North Dakota, and Iowa.
Van Bruggen holds a business administration degree from North Dakota State University and a law degree from Drake University Law School with a certificate in food and agricultural law. He has been a member of AALA since he attended Drake Law School starting in 2009 and has attended many symposiums. He has also served as a member and co-chair of the AALA distance education committee and member of the membership and marketing and symposium planning committees. He and his partner, Joan, live in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
“The AALA plays a crucial role in shaping and advancing legal guidance and expertise that has a direct impact to the food and agricultural community,” Van Bruggen said. “It is an honor to be elected by the members to the AALA board of directors. I am looking forward to continuing the AALA’s mission of remaining the premier association for agricultural law and policy professionals.”
Good is a livestock industry lawyer and lobbyist with a lifelong passion for agriculture and track record of productive board leadership. Since 2013, she has served as the vice president of government and industry affairs and legal at the Livestock Marketing Association (LMA), the national trade organization representing livestock auction markets.
Having been involved in AALA since 2012, Good regularly serves on the symposium planning committee. She is the current chair of the National Institute of Animal Agriculture board of directors. She also serves on the boards of the Kansas Agriculture and Rural Leadership program and the United States Animal Health Association.
Her advocacy has been instrumental in representing LMA’s interests in federal, state, and industry environments. Her leadership has enabled the successful updating of the Packers and Stockyards Act, enhancing protections for livestock sellers through the Dealer Statutory Trust and modernizing requirements.
Good is a graduate of Washburn University School of Law. She also attended Kansas State University, where she earned a master’s degree in communications studies and bachelor’s degrees in agricultural communications and journalism, political science, and public relations. She previously worked at the Kansas Department of Agriculture, first as the communications director then as a staff attorney, specializing in animal health law and policy.
In addition to her role at LMA, Good is engaged in cattle feeding, agriculture consulting, and investing. She lives in Leawood, Kansas, with her husband, Chad Tenpenny, and two teenage stepdaughters. Chad is the owner of Tenpenny Law. Family hobbies include golf, travel, and concerts.
“From the first time I stepped foot at the AALA symposium, it was immediately clear the group excels not just in proving quality continuing education but in creating connection amongst agriculture attorneys and policy professionals,” Good said. “I’m excited and honored to serve on the board.”
