PLAIN CITY, Ohio, January 5, 2026 – Ron Schuller has been promoted to Chief Strategy Officer, where he will focus on innovative business initiatives as well as global brand and marketing strategy. Schuller joined the company in 2023 as Chief Operating Officer for Low Carbon Technologies (LCT), Select Sires’ industry-leading sustainability division. In his new role, he will also continue to lead LCT.
“Ron has an extensive background in brand management and marketing strategy with numerous Fortune 500 companies,” said David Thorbahn, President and CEO, Select Sires Inc. “He has collaborated with various departments to improve operations while simultaneously building go-to-market strategies to facilitate LCT’s market launch and operational structure, including science and program development. He has developed internal teams, beef and dairy supply chains, and repositioned the GeneNet® brand to align with current market opportunities. He has collaboratively partnered with ProfitSOURCE®, information systems, marketing, communications, and human resources, making him a great fit for the role. I am incredibly excited for Ron to bring his full expertise to Select Sires’ strategic initiatives. His recent work, leading the vision for merged operations and organizational structures between Select Sires and World Wide Sires, will continue in his new role. In addition, he will oversee the establishment of a formalized marketing function, which will combine the existing communications functions of Select Sires and World Wide Sires with expanded capabilities to serve the global market.”
Mark Johnson, Director of Beef and Dairy Supply Chains, has been promoted to Vice President of Operations for LCT. Johnson also joined Select Sires in 2023, bringing more than 20 years of relevant experience in beef and dairy, and has since focused on business development with retailers and packers, as well as beef and dairy producers, to facilitate the commercial expansion of LCT’s efforts. “Mark’s knowledge of the industry, network connections, and passion for sustainability, combined with his solution-oriented thought leadership and tremendous rapport with the team, make him a natural fit and obvious choice to lead the operations of LCT,” said Schuller.
Jeff Ziegler, long-time Sire Analyst and Vice President of Dairy Cattle Breeding, has been named Senior Executive Director of Global Genetic Integrations. In this role, Jeff’s collective experience will be leveraged to lead producers worldwide in accelerating the advancement and integration of Select Sires’ innovative genetic solutions in the global market. “Jeff’s knowledge and understanding of Select Sires’ diverse genetic offerings, paired with his consultative approach and aligned support of brand strategy, will be invaluable in delivering customer-centric solutions that create tremendous value to producers and to the business alike,” said Schuller. “I’m extremely excited to have such a highly regarded industry expert leading this function on the team.”
Ziegler began his career with Select Sires 40 years ago as an intern. He has served various roles, including Manager of Select Mating Service® (SMS®), Sales Manager, Sire Analyst for all dairy breeds, and Genomic Program Manager leading to the creation of the Aggressive Reproductive Technologies Program. Most recently, Jeff managed Select Sires’ dairy sire inventory and supervised the team that is responsible for dairy sire acquisition. “Jeff continually strives to improve our genetic offering to deliver the highest quality genetics and the diversity that our customers around the world demand. His various roles have provided him with broad experiences and a solid foundation to step into this new position,” said Schuller.
Select Sires also announced that Chuck Sattler, Senior Vice President of Genetic Programs and Research, will now take an active role in leading the Dairy Sire Acquisition Team. Sattler’s knowledge of genetics, genetic research, and market demands has prepared him for this challenge. Chuck will provide oversight of Select Sires’ Aggressive Reproductive Technologies™ program as well as genetic product development activities, including genetic research and development, progeny testing, and genomic testing. He will also continue overseeing the company's genetic research efforts. In addition, Chuck will lead the Dairy Sire Development Team and sire acquisition through the supervision of Select’s Team of Sire Analysts, Breeding Program Managers, and support personnel.
His service in leading Select Sires Dairy Progeny Testing and Research prepares him for the challenge. He directed the implementation of molecular genomics and has led Select Sires’ Genetics Program to unprecedented success. Chuck’s supervisor, Dave Thorbahn, President and CEO of Select Sires, describes him as “steady, deliberate, and deep thinking.” “In addition to his genomic leadership, he developed innovative tools for Select Sires and our customers. Most notably, the development and implementation of Select Sires’ innovative, health-focused index, Herd Health Profit Dollars®.” Sattler will be restructuring the department to create a Vice President of Genetic Research, allowing him to focus more on leading the Sire Acquisition Team and the entire department.