Northern Ag Network Staff Directory
Taylor Brown
President
Taylor Brown is widely known as one of the nation’s leaders in the field of agricultural broadcasting, and has played a huge role in western agriculture since he joined the Northern Ag Network as a regional farm broadcaster in 1979. Today he and his wife Shannon own the Northern Broadcasting System, and its flagship radio station KGHL (AM790 and 94.7FM) in Billings.
Born in Sheridan, Wyoming, Taylor Brown grew up on his family’s cattle ranch in eastern Montana near Sand Springs. He attended high school in Lewistown where he was active in FFA and earned his bachelor’s degree in Agriculture from Montana State University in Bozeman, where he served as the Student Body President, and was awarded a MSU Honorary Doctorate in 2021.
A past National President of the National Association of Farm Broadcasting, Taylor also served 12 years as the President of the NAFB Foundation. His many achievements in the broadcasting industry include being named America’s “Farm Broadcaster of the Year”, and receiving the “Oscar in Agriculture” award for radio, and being inducted into the NAFB Hall of Fame in 2010.
Serving two terms in the Montana Senate from 2009-16, Brown was elected Majority Whip, and chaired the Senate Agriculture Committee, as well as the Senate Education Committee. Brown is known for his support of 4-H, FFA, Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity and the REAL Montana leadership program.
Taylor and Shannon have been married since 1980, and are active in the Huntley Project community just east of Billings. Their son Travis and his wife Mary operate the family’s LO Cattle Company ranch in Garfield County. Their son Colter Brown, daughter Courtney Kibblewhite, and her husband Jonathan lead the management team at Northern Broadcasting.
Courtney Kibblewhite
Vice President
Courtney Brown Kibblewhite is the Vice President for Northern Broadcasting, their family business. She leads the sales and marketing team to develop multimedia advertising campaigns in Montana, Wyoming and the Western Dakotas.
Prior to Northern Broadcasting, Courtney worked in human capital consulting in Chicago and in academia teaching and studying social psychology and leadership. Courtney holds a Master’s degree in Organizational Behavior from University of California, Berkeley and a Bachelor’s degree in Communications & International Studies from Northwestern University.
Courtney currently serves on the board for the Montana Chamber of Commerce. She enjoys exploring internationally, volunteering with church and youth organizations, and working on their family ranch in Sand Springs, MT. Courtney and her husband Jonathan (from Wales) have a daughter Nia and son Jac.
Colter Brown
Ag Director
Currently the Ag Director of the Northern Ag Network, Colter Brown began his broadcast career in 2009 as a summer intern for its parent company, the Northern Broadcasting System. Brown graduated from Montana State University in Bozeman with a degree in Agricultural Business and Economics. Upon graduating from MSU, Colter was employed by Northwest Farm Credit Services as an Agricultural Loan Officer, where he spent 5 years working with producers who raised cattle, small grains, pulse crops, and sugar beets throughout Eastern Montana.
In 2017, Colter joined the Northern Ag Network and today he leads a team of farm broadcasters that produce 17 daily radio and television programs, providing ag news and market programs for a network of over 60 Affiliated Stations in Montana, Wyoming and the western Dakotas. Colter volunteers on the board of directors for the Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity – Alpha Delta Alumni Association, as well as for Montana Range Days, the state’s largest rangeland education program.
Colter, his wife Kayla, their two sons Owen and Hudson and daughter Addison live in Huntley, Montana, and stay active with their own small herd of cattle as part of his family’s cow-calf operation at Sand Springs, Montana.
Andy Schwab
Ag Broadcaster
Andy Schwab grew up in Powell, WY on a small farm that produced race horses while he was a kid. He learned to ride horses, hunt, fish and take pack trips to the backcountry at very young age and has yet to lose the passion. Through his high school years at Powell, Andy competed in sports, FFA and started his own farrow to finish hog business. He would add many hats to wear after graduation as he jumped right into the work force, often times holding two to three jobs at a time. For nearly 10 years his main vocation was working in the retail world for a local co-op and farm and ranch store.
In that time, he would also add job experiences from the Wyoming Game and Fish as an AIS Tech and the US Forest Service as a backcountry trail crew foreman, spending three seasons with each department. He also became a bar tender for a local steakhouse in Cody, WY for three summers to prevent any boredom from setting in. But probably his favorite hat he put on was that from an auction business he started on his own and continues to operate after self-teaching himself how to be an auctioneer. “It’s the one job that has taught me how to use my voice properly, and opened a lot of new doors, including the door to Northern Ag Network and sports broadcasting.”
In May of 2019, Andy joined the Northern Ag Network as an Ag Broadcaster and one of his first interviews on air was with the Governor of Wyoming, Mark Gordon, while attending a mid-year conference held by Wyoming Stock Growers Association. Andy has since interviewed several more Governors from the Northern Ag territory, along with many other leaders and industry experts
Brett McRae
Ag Broadcaster
Brett McRae grew up on a family ranch south of Colstrip, Montana helping his family raise cattle while staying active in local 4-H and FFA programs. Brett graduated from Montana State University in the Spring of 2021 with a degree in Business Marketing and a minor in Animal Science. While in school Brett was a member of the Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity, Collegiate Livestock Judging Team, Stockgrowers Club and the College of Ag Student Council.
Although he has the most experience around a commercial cow-calf beef production system, Brett has a passion for all of agriculture and had the opportunity to complete an internship for CHS Big Sky at a grain elevator in Fort Benton, Montana. He also worked for the Sitz family in Harrison, Montana as the summer intern on their purebred Angus Ranch. In his free time Brett enjoys spending time at home on the ranch working with his family or taking in as much live music as possible.
Augie Aga
Director of National Sales
As a Director of National Sales, Augie Aga brings more than 30 years experience in radio and television advertising sales to the Northern Broadcasting System team. His focus is on national sales for the Northern Ag Network and the Northern News Network.
Augie received his bachelor’s degree in Communications from the University of Minnesota – Duluth. He is also certified as a Manager of Radio Marketing and a Certified Digital Marketing Consultant.
Having grown up in Minnesota, Augie wandered west to Montana in 1984 to be a ski bum, working in a Billings ski shop. After five years in the ski biz he figured he better put his college degree to work and joined the sales department at KBLG-AM and KRKX-FM. Growing from two stations, to a cluster of six stations, Augie has worn just about every hat in the stations sales department… Account Executive, Local Sales Manager, National Sales Manager, General Sales Manager and even General Manager. Augie’s vast advertising, marketing and management experience, he knows that every client is different. He believes in helping his clients succeed in today’s fast changing business environment by building customized marketing solutions utilizing both traditional and new media platforms.
Augie lives at the foot of the Beartooth Mountains in Red Lodge, Montana. He enjoys spending his free time in the mountains, skiing, camping, fishing, and hiking. Augie is still a ski bum, having skied at least one day every month, for more than 27 years (333 months in a row at last count). Augie’s perfect day is skiing in the morning, golfing in the afternoon and fly-fishing in the evening.
Amelia Siroky
Marketing Specialist
Amelia was raised near Red Lodge, MT and was actively involved in many extra-curricular programs. She got the most joy out of 4-H and FFA, holding offices in both organizations and representing Montana at multiple national conventions. During her time in FFA she was highly awarded in extemporaneous speaking and competed at National FFA in meat judging. Amelia earned an associate’s degree in agricultural business in 2014 from Sheridan College. During her time at Sheridan College, Amelia was actively involved in PAS (National Post-Secondary Agricultural Student Organization) and in 2014 she won the national Impromptu speaking title.
Amelia joined the Northern Broadcasting team early in 2017 and works as a marketing specialist. She is passionate about advocating for rural populations whether it be for rural mental healthcare access, education or the cattle industry! She is involved in NCBA, the Nile Foundation Stetson and Stilettos, and Montana Cattlewomen. Before joining Northern Broadcasting, Amelia worked as a Service Manager for Wells Fargo in Gillette, WY.
Amelia lives with her husband, Chad Siroky, their daughter Blake and their two blue heelers near Park City, MT. They enjoy fishing, cooking, traveling, snowmobiling and visiting his parents at the Padlock Ranch in Ranchester, WY. Amelia is a 6th generation Montanan and spent many weekends growing up at her grandparents’ ranch jokingly named the Woofagator Ranch at Forest Grove (population 10…maybe). Amelia also owns Prairie Smoke Beadwork where she makes custom loom-beaded pieces such as belts and hatbands.
Bernadete Jensen
Marketing Specialist
Born and raised in Billings, Bernadete has been with Northern Broadcasting since January of 2018. As a Marketing Specialist she has been said to have the best and most versatile position in the organization as she gets to interact with the entire NBS team, various community members and leaders throughout the state, and most importantly NBS’ amazing network of affiliates and clients.
Upon graduation from The University of Montana with a degree in Organizational Communication in 2001, Bernadete worked for 17 years in retail leadership and development with both Dillard’s and Cabela’s. This career path brought her to several states including Arkansas, Colorado, and Nebraska which provided some memorable experiences, connections with great people and the opportunity to try some amazing food! In the fall of 2017, Bernadete took a leap of faith by leaving her career in corporate retail and moved back to Montana with her whiskey aficionado Matt Heinz and bird dog, Sidney, in tow. They currently reside in a rural community northwest of the Laurel area.
Growing up in Montana she enjoys living the outdoor lifestyle participating in activities such as ultra-marathon trail running, paddle boarding, skiing, and bird hunting. Truly believing in the advice given to her early in her career about the importance of servant leadership, her volunteer activities have guided her to reconnect with the local Billings area while continuing to make Montana her forever home. Some future goals include participating in a 100-mile ultra-marathon, hiking the El Camino de Santiago in Spain and serving on a local non-profit board.
Shannon Brown
Comptroller
Shannon Brown has worked at Northern Broadcasting System since 1994. She is currently in charge of office accounting, employee materials, station affidavits plus assists with general office management.
Shannon was born in Missoula, Montana to Ferris and Anna Marie Clouse. She is the third of eight children. She graduated from Missoula Hellgate High School and Montana State University in Bozeman, receiving a degree in Elementary Education. She taught elementary school in Billings for 13 years until she resigned to be a full-time Mom. Shannon and Taylor have been married since 1980. They are blessed with three children: Travis (1984), Courtney (1986), and Colter (1989). Shannon is active in the Huntley Project community. She enjoys helping with 4-H, FFA, religious education, volunteering at school, homework and housework. She loves to sew in her free time.
Jonathan Kibblewhite
Operations Manager
Jonathan Kibblewhite, born in Swansea, Wales, was born into a traveling fairground family. At the age of 2, Jonathan’s family moved up to North Wales where they had a non-moving fairground to enable Jonathan and his sister Rachel to have a standard education, without traveling around.
Following school, Jonathan studied Media Management at Nottingham Trent University in England, the land of Robin Hood! And soon after the family decided to up sticks and move to The Gambia, West Africa. So at the age of 21, Jonathan moved with his family to The Gambia where he imported beach goods to sell to the hotels and supermarkets. After 1 year in The Gambia, Jonathan moved to Huddersfield, England where he worked in Production Planning for Syngenta Agro-Chemicals.
After 10 years at Syngenta, it was time for the next move! Jonathan decided to follow his childhood dream of becoming a scuba diver and moved to Koh Tao, Thailand to become a scuba diving instructor. Jonathan worked as a scuba diving instructor for almost 5 years on Koh Tao, where he met his wife (who was from Billings, Montana), this brought him to the Magic City!
Jonathan has been the Operations Manager at Northern Broadcasting since September 2015.
After living on 4 continents, Jonathan has settled in Montana with his wife Courtney, their 2 kids and their 2 Boston Terriers.
Jennifer Jacobson
Traffic Manager and Office Manager
As traffic manager, office manager, and social media manager, Jennifer Jacobson is the pretty face and busy woman that visitors of Northern Broadcasting first encounter.
A Billings/Hysham native, Jennifer grew up on a family cattle and hay operation. Being ambitious and driven, Jennifer graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Human Resources, a minor in Healthcare administration, and a certificate in Personal Training from MSU Billings. She put all her degrees to good use, managing and selling for Helzberg Diamonds for three years, managing Anytime Fitness for eleven years, and then working as a buyer for Shipton’s Big R Stores. After a stint in North Dakota working as a buyer for Weatherford International, Jennifer decided to get closer to the agriculture industry and back to her roots. In October 2021, Jennifer joined the Northern Broadcasting team.
Outside of work, Jennifer’s life isn’t any less busy and she stays occupied with two kids, two dogs, and two horses! She enjoys working out, concerts, rodeos, and traveling when given the opportunity.
Hannah Konen
Intern
Hannah Konen is currently serving as the Northern Ag Network summer intern. She will be working alongside the broadcasting and marketing teams to serve Farmers, Ranchers, and Agri-Business clients.
The daughter of Michael and Heidi Konen, Hannah spent her summers picking rock, irrigating, and driving grain trucks on the family grain farm in Fairfield, MT. When not busy helping out on the farm, Hannah and her five siblings were active in local, state, and national 4-H events.
In high school, Hannah’s love for all things agriculture grew and she would eventually abandon her childhood dream of being a fashion designer to pursue a career in agriculture instead. She is currently studying at Montana State University and will graduate with degrees in Agriculture Business and Economics next May. Hannah hopes to work in agriculture policy or on the family farm upon graduation.
When not in school, Hannah can be found at church, sports, and social events all over Bozeman but particularly loves swing dancing, playing billiards, and fishing. She is thrilled to be spending the summer at Northern Ag!
