KANSAS CITY, Mo. (August 14, 2023) – The American Royal is pleased to announce the appointment of seven to the board of directors for a three-year term, ending Spring 2026. This addition expands the board to 42 directors.

Selected based on their strong leadership skills and commitment to the mission of the organization, new board members include: Megan Bubb, Reece Nichols; Jim Gamble, Keller Williams; Richard Green, U.S. Engineering; Alden Harris, Bartlett, a Savage Company, and Harris Farm Outfitters; Angela Hudson; David Morris, Morris Animal Foundation; and Mark Thomas, Copaken Brooks.

New Board Members, Serving First Term, 2023-2026

• Megan Bubb is a founding member of The Bubb Team, which helps buyers and sellers throughout the KC Metro. Born and raised in Kansas City, Megan was part of the 1998 class at The Barstow School. She received a Bachelor of Arts in International Mass Communications in 2002 from Lynn University in Boca Raton, Florida. Megan has worked in real estate since graduating and has been recognized as the top one percent of realtors in the KC Metro. She is actively involved in the Kansas City community as a volunteer for the Kansas City Ballet, the Jewel Ball, and the American Royal, and serves as a member of the Belles of the American Royal, the Fireside Committee, P.E.O. Chapter F and Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary.
• Jim Gamble has been a realtor in Kansas City since 1986. He currently serves as a Director for the National Association of Realtors® (NAR) as well as RPAC Federal Disbursement Committee. Jim has served as Regional Vice President for NAR in 2018 and was President of the Missouri Realtors® in 2014. In 2015, he was named Kansas City Realtor of the Year by the KC local Realtor Association. Jim believes wholeheartedly in giving back to the community and has volunteered his time and resources to Missouri Realtors, The Leukemia Society, Children’s Mercy Hospital, Big Brothers Big Sisters of KC and the Mizzou Alumni Association. In Jim’s spare time, he enjoys attending Mizzou football games, golfing, gardening & traveling. Jim graduated from University of Missouri in 1984 with a Bachelors in Economics.
• Richard Green has been in the construction industry for 20 years. He has been with U.S. Engineering Construction for five years and leads their project development team. Richard is passionate about his community and takes pride in connecting and uplifting the people within it. He began his involvement with The American Royal as a volunteer, and he quickly fell in love with the people. He has been engaged with the Livestock Show, Clay Shoot, and has spent three years on the Chairman’s Club leadership team. Richard is grateful for his time with The American Royal and looks forward to continuing to impact his community through his involvement.
• Alden Harris boasts a 14-year career with Bartlett, a Savage Company, holding roles focused in grain merchandising, logistics, talent acquisition, and professional development. Alden currently oversees talent acquisition and professional development for Bartlett’s grain merchandising and origination teams. Additionally, Alden and her husband farm row crops and own and operate Harris Farms Outfitters offering premium, guided waterfowl hunts outside St. Paul, KS. Outside of the office Alden enjoys riding and showing horses, volunteering in the community, and cooking and writing recipes for the Honey, I’m Hungry Blog.
• Angela Hudson served as the Vice President of American Royal for the Belles of the American Royal organization. Her involvement with the American Royal continues as a volunteer and Board member.
• David Morris serves as a trustee of the Morris Animal Foundation, the largest chartable funder of animal health studies in the world. He is also Vice President of the Mark and Bette Morris Family Foundation, and well as McMorin, Inc. He is a member of Innovation in Motion, an early-stage venture capital group. Originally from Topeka, Kansas, David graduated from Trinity University with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration served as an assistant to Kansas Governor Mike Hayden before completing both an MBA and law degree from Southern Methodist University. Following the completion of his graduate degrees, David established a company to spin off the ZuPreem line of prepared diets for zoo animals from Hill’s Pet Nutrition. During his tenure owning the ZuPreem brand, the product line grew from a handful of diets for zoo animals to eventually becoming the leading brand of nutritionally complete diets for birds in the US pet specialty channel. In the past, David has served as a member of Mid America Angels as well as Chairman of the Board of Epic Entertainment. He has also served on the board of directors of Wayside Waifs, The Starlight Theater Association, Friends of the Topeka Zoo, American Pet Products Association, and the Worldwide Pet Supply Association.
• Mark Thomas is the Senior Vice President of Property and Risk Management at Copaken Brooks, a local full-service commercial real estate firm. Thomas is a 1.2-billion-dollar asset manager with the management responsibility of nearly seven million square feet of office, retail, industrial, and condominium assets in Kansas and Missouri. Mark began his career with Sprint/North Supply, working in the facilities management division. He later joined Griffin Services as a project manager where he was responsible for the engineering services and operations management of over one million square feet of General Services Administration (GSA) assets. Prior to joining Copaken Brooks, Mark was employed by Kessinger/Hunter and was responsible for managing the BMA Tower and consulting on new business opportunities as the AVP/Director of Operations. Mark is a national instructor for the Building Owners and Managers Institute (BOMI) and a founding member and leader in the Kansas City REAP (Real Estate Associate Professional) Program.

“We’re honored to welcome these outstanding individuals to our board,” said Jackie McClaskey, American Royal President and CEO. “Their vast experience will prove valuable as we implement our new strategic plan and pursue our mission to be the nation’s leader in food and agriculture.”

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About the American Royal Association
A Kansas City tradition since 1899, the American Royal is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization whose mission is to be the nation’s leader for food and agriculture education, events, and engagement. The American Royal provides opportunities for nearly half a million youth and adults from around the world to engage in high-quality events and experiences, including nationally competitive livestock shows, the world’s largest barbecue competition, regional and national equine shows, youth and professional rodeos, and elementary and secondary education outreach. Support from partners, members, and volunteers help the American Royal achieve its vision of a world where food and agriculture are celebrated, and all generations are committed to its future.

Press Release Contact: 

Allyssa King
American Royal Association
1701 American Royal Ct.
Kansas City, MO 64120
allyssak@americanroyal.com