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Scholarship Foundation Board

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Karie O'Donnell Herbers- serves as the PRESIDENT of the Miss Rodeo America Scholarship Foundation and is a past President of the MRASF. Karie is a former Miss Rodeo Washington, past member of the Miss Rodeo America Executive Board and served as National Director for the Miss Rodeo Washington Association for ten years. Karie works as a senior pharmaceutical sales representative for Eli Lilly & Company. She is a graduate of Central Washington University and strongly encourages women of ages to get an education no matter their life goals. Karie lives in Ellensburg, WA with her husband Jay and their son Reid.

Carla Spence - serves as VICE PRESIDENT of the Miss Rodeo America Scholarship Foundation. Carla lives in Atkins, Arkansas. Carla has worked with the Miss Rodeo America pageant for the past two years as the top floral designer, as well as playing an active role in the rose sales and distribution. Carla has been married to Doug Spence for 22 years and together they have worked diligently on their family farm. The Spence’s have owned and operated a successful poultry, agriculture, and cattle operation for the past 22 years, with Carla being the business manager of these operations. Carla and Doug have two children, Cooper and his wife Hope, and Haylee and her husband Luke, as well as two grandchildren. While helping run their family farm, Carla homeschooled her son and daughter. Upon her children’s graduation, Carla ventured further into the business arena by owning and operating her own family business, Spence’s Flowers & Gifts. Carla works as the top florist/designer in her shop, as well as managing all affairs of the business such as ordering, retail, and staying up to date on current trends and designs. In her spare time, Carla enjoys being active in civic duties in her hometown, as well as spending time with her children and two granddaughters.

Kelly D. Baxley - serves as TREASURER of the Miss Rodeo America Scholarship Foundation. Kelly graduated in Texas with honors from Paris Junior College with an Associate Degree in Applied Science in Air Conditioning Technology. In 1992 he graduated from The University of North Texas with a Bachelor of Business Administration. In 2010 he was inducted into the Academic Wall of Honor for Paris Junior College. He is currently employed by Siemens. He serves as the Senior Account Executive for the Lockheed Martin Aerospace division in Fort Worth, Texas. Kelly was Sales Professional of the year in 2006, 2010, 2015 and 2017. He is a Past President of The Miss Rodeo America Scholarship Foundation and continues to serve as a Director. He serves on the National Advisory Committee for Miss Rodeo America Pageant and is on the Board for The Miss Rodeo Texas Pageant. He is a member of the American Quarter Horse Association. Kelly and his wife Cindy enjoy riding western pleasure and are avid NASCAR fans.

Barb Carr – serves as SECRETARY of the Miss Rodeo America Scholarship Foundation. Barb works for the Vernonia School District as the Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent and Board of Directors. She is a past President of Miss Rodeo Oregon and served on the NW District Executive Board for the Oregon High School Equestrian Team organization. Barb is a current member of the National Advisory Council for Miss Rodeo American, serves on multiple committees at the Miss Rodeo America Pageant, and judges local and state rodeo queen pageants. In her spare time Barb enjoys baking and gardening. She and her husband Alan have two daughters, Mackenzie Carr-Ivie (2012 Miss Rodeo America) and Kaitlyn Carr-Kiprotich and welcomed their first grandchild (Isla) in June of 2018.

Gayle Plackemeier- Gayle is from Giddings, Texas where she worked as a Registered Nurse-OB/GYN at Clear Lake Regional Medical Center. She is married to Ronald Plackemeier, an attorney in Houston, Texas and they have 4 children. Gayle's oldest daughter Alyssa, was Miss Rodeo Texas 2007 and from that point on she has witnessed the growth of the Foundation. To Gayle, seeing young women succeed in their chosen field is very gratifying.

Berlyn Miller - Berlyn is a long-time friend of Miss Rodeo America, Inc. and is a past VICE PRESIDENT of the Miss Rodeo America Scholarship Foundation. He has been a Las Vegas resident since 1958 and joined the MRA Scholarship Foundation board in 2007. Berlyn is a member of the National Finals Rodeo Committee and served on the Las Vegas Events Board for 30 years. In 1984 as a member of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority Board of Directors he was instrumental in bringing the National Finals Rodeo to Las Vegas. He is a graduate of the University of Missouri and a U.S. Air Force veteran. Mr. Miller is President of Berlyn Miller & Associates, a Business and Government Relations Consulting firm.

Mark Reinert - Mark grew up in the southeastern Colorado ranching/farming community of Eads before attending and graduating from Colorado State University in Fort Collins with a degree in Marketing. He recently made a career change and left Agfinity, an agricultural cooperative, after 23 years as the Marketing, Communications and Government Relations Director to pursue a position with the Van Diest Supply Company as a Regional Sales Manager. Mark has a diverse background in the rodeo world from serving on the Miss Rodeo Colorado Executive Committee to the General Chairman of the Greeley Stampede to running the American Bullfighting. He is currently the Vice-Chairperson for the Miss Rodeo America Foundation Board of Directors. Mark also serves as the Chairman of the Rocky Mountain Agribusiness Association Board of Directors, serves on the Aims Community College Ag Advisory Board, as well as various other FFA advisory boards in Colorado. He is also heavily involved with Colorado State University Ag Day and serves on the CSU President’s Ag Advisory Board. Mark, with his wife Julie and children, Jacey and Tanner reside in Gill, Colorado on a little piece of heaven they call Twisted Acres.

Dorie Tucker - Dorie and her husband Roy have owned cattle ranches an Arizona, Kansas, New Mexico and currently reside in the Texas Panhandle where they operate their cow/calf operation. Dorie is very hands on in the operation as cowgirl, cook and bookkeeper. She is a former Miss Rodeo Louisiana and has served on the MRA Horsemanship Committee and National Advisory Board. Dorie is passionate about people and has a background in communications and event planning, has served as President of her local Chamber of Commerce and as organizer for numerous state and local charitable and benefit fundraising efforts. Dorie’s parents, John and Ann Greer, were avid supporters of the MRA Scholarship Foundation for many years and Dorie is eager to “fill the gap” as a new member to the MRA Scholarship Foundation Board. Dorie and her husband reside in Wellington, Texas and have two daughters, Jessen Cowen (Jake) and Georgia Ann.



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