Kristin Paul Named Next Executive Secretary of USJersey Organizations

Kristin Paul has been appointed Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the American Jersey Cattle Association (AJCA) and National All-Jersey Inc. (NAJ), bringing more than two decades of experience and a lifelong connection to the Jersey breed to the role.

Paul’s appointment, effective January 1, 2027, was announced by AJCA President Alan Chittenden and NAJ President Corey Lutz.

“Kristin brings a rare combination of industry knowledge, proven leadership, and a lifelong commitment to the Jersey breed,” said President Alan Chittenden on behalf of both boards of directors. “She understands our members, our programs, and the opportunities ahead. The Board has full confidence in her ability to lead AJCA and NAJ forward while continuing to build on the strong foundation that has been established.”

Kristin succeeds Neal Smith, who will retire December 31, 2026, following nearly four decades of service to the Jersey organizations. Smith joined the AJCA on January 1, 1987, as Southeast Area Representative, later serving as manager of Jersey Marketing Service before being named Executive Secretary on May 1, 2000.

Under his leadership, the organizations reached historic levels in key areas including cattle sales, registrations, and growth in U.S. Jersey cow numbers—benchmarks central to the Association’s mission of improving and promoting the Jersey breed while increasing the value of and demand for Jersey milk and cattle.

“A big part of the success of the USJersey organizations over the last several decades can be attributed to exceptional leadership,” Paul said. “Leaders like Neal have been extremely influential in shaping breed growth and providing direction to the broader dairy industry. I feel very fortunate to help carry on that tradition.”

A lifelong Jersey breeder, Smith’s connection to the breed began at Triple S Jerseys in Picayune, Miss., and has been reflected in his unwavering dedication to the industry. His influence extended beyond AJCA through leadership roles with national dairy organizations, including serving as chair of the Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding, Purebred Dairy Cattle Association, and National Pedigreed Livestock Council.

Born and raised in a Registered Jersey family, Paul represents a multi-generational Jersey legacy on both sides of her family, with ties to Owens Farm Inc. and Barlass Jersey Farm—both long-standing Registered Jersey operations still in business today. She remains actively involved in her family’s operation, Barlass Jerseys LLC.

Her involvement with the breed began at an early age through national Jersey youth development programs, where she was recognized as a winner of the National Jersey Youth Achievement Contest. She also participated in national youth production contests and received several scholarships through the association.

Upon graduating from the University of Wisconsin with a degree in dairy science, Paul began her professional career with the USJersey organizations in June 2002 as Western Region Program Assistant. She worked directly with producers and supported on-farm program implementation across the region, including service to California herds.

In 2008, she was named Director of Field Services, assuming responsibility for managing a nationwide team of 12 field staff while coordinating the delivery of AJCA and NAJ services to Jersey breeders across the United States. In addition to her leadership responsibilities, she has continued to provide hands-on service to dairy producers, particularly in Wisconsin and Illinois. For the past decade, she has also served as export coordinator for Jersey Marketing Service.

Paul has played a key role in one of the breed’s most visible traditions, serving as superintendent of The All American Jersey Shows and Sales since 2007.

Her leadership extends beyond the Jersey organizations. She is actively involved in youth development and her local community, coaching 4-H and FFA dairy judging teams, a 4-H leader mentoring youth through dairy projects, coaching youth soccer, and serving as a church youth group leader. She has also contributed to numerous dairy industry programs and committees, including moderating and participating in panels and educational events. Most recently, she participated in the National Dairy Shrine webinar, “Bridging the Generation Gap.”

Through her work with USJersey, Paul has represented the Association internationally, traveling to Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Guatemala, Brazil, China, and Germany.

Paul and her husband, Brian, are raising their two children, Kennedy and Sawyer, who are actively involved in the Jersey business.

Her combination of industry knowledge, leadership experience, and lifelong commitment to the Jersey breed positions her to lead AJCA and NAJ into the future.

“Kristin has dedicated her career to serving Jersey breeders and strengthening our programs,” said retiring  Executive  Secretary Smith. “She has a deep Jersey pedigree lineage giving her a strong understanding of this organization from the ground up. I have every confidence in her leadership. The AJCA and NAJ will be in very capable hands moving forward.”

The American Jersey Cattle Association and National All-Jersey Inc., headquartered in Reynoldsburg, Ohio, serve Jersey breeders through breed registry, performance programs, genetic improvement, and promotion of Jersey milk and cattle. Organized in 1868, AJCA is the oldest dairy breed association in the United States. USJersey has 1,605 active members as of May 2025 and provides services to more than 3,000 Jersey dairy farmers annually.