Expo Speaker Lineup
2026 KHSI Expo Speaker Lineup
Greg Brann
Greg has a B.S. in Plant and Soil Science from the University of Tennessee. He worked for 36 years with the Soil Conservation Service-Natural Resources Conservation Service, and approximately 20 years as the Tennessee State Grazing Lands Specialist. His expertise has been widely sought after, advising conservation groups, and speaking at field days and conferences. In addition to his private consulting practice, Synergistic Grazing Management, Greg works alongside the Organic Association of Kentucky (OAK) to develop grazing plans for Climate Smart Grant participants; provides mentorship to beginning farmers through the National Grazing Lands Coalition (Nat GLC); consults with the National Division of Soil Health, NRCS, as a grazing specialist; writes regularly for Gallagher as our go-to grazing expert, and continues to host the Annual Pasture Walk for the wider agriculture community. He currently raises 200 sheep, 100 cattle, and 50 hogs.
Christopher Fletcher DVM
Dr. Fletcher completed a B.S. from Virginia Tech in Animal and Poultry Science and his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 2007 from St. George’s University. He came back to his hometown and was part owner in a private large animal mobile vet practice for 16 years. During this time, he had a strong emphasis on small ruminant medicine and surgery. Recently, he has taken a position with the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services as the Regional Veterinary Supervisor. In his current role, he has the pleasure of helping other veterinarians and producers with outreach education. He also is involved with collecting samples for the National Scrapie Eradication Program and for the 2024 NAHMS sheep study. Beyond his professional endeavors, Dr. Fletcher and his wife Mandy, operate an NSIP flock of seedstock Katahdins.
Britton Francis
Britton obtained his B.S. degree in Animal Science from Oklahoma State University. While attending OSU and Fort Scott Community College, he competed on livestock judging teams winning numerous awards and other honors. Britton is from Paris, MO where he grew up on a diversified livestock operation where the main part of the operation focused on their 375 head registered Katahdin ewes. Britton enjoys attending sheep shows and helping youth within the Katahdin breed and encouraging them to get more Katahdins in the show ring. He also enjoys judging livestock shows, and playing basketball and slow pitch softball. Britton taught Ag Education for 3 years at Community R-6 High School after graduation. He is now a Credit Analyst at TPNB Bank in Paris, MO.
Patrick Gunn PhD
Dr. Gunn completed a B.S. in Animal Science from Purdue University, an M.S. in ruminant nutrition from Purdue University and a Ph.D. in Reproductive Physiology and Ruminant Nutrition from Purdue University. Currently, he is the Senior Nutritionist for Show and Small Ruminants for Purina Mills LLC. Prior to this he was an Assistant Profession and Beef Cow-Calf Specialist at Iowa State University and the Beef Technical Sales Consultant for Purina Mills.
Jennifer Hatcher DVM
Dr. Hatcher earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine in 2005. She currently practices at her family’s mixed animal veterinary clinic in College Grove, Tennessee. Her primary focus is small ruminant medicine. She grew up in Tennessee on her family’s dairy farm and is still involved with Hatcher Family Dairy today. Dr. Hatcher, her husband and their two children reside on the farm. She and her family have been raising and showing sheep for over 30 yrs.
Jessy Shanks PhD
Dr. Shanks earned a B.S. in Animal Science from the University of Tennessee, followed by an M.S. and Ph.D. in Animal Science with a focus on Reproductive Physiology from the same institution. She currently serves as the Small Ruminant Extension Specialist at the University of Tennessee, where she works with Extension agents to support small ruminant producers across the state through education, training, and technical assistance. In addition, she develops and oversees the Skillathon contests held at Tennessee livestock shows. Prior to her current role, Dr. Shanks served as a senior lecturer in the department.
Lew Strickland DVM, DACT
Dr. Strickland earned a B.S. and M.S. in Animal Sciences from Auburn University and a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Auburn University. He completed a residency in theriogenology, the branch of veterinary medicine focused on animal reproduction, and is board certified by the American College of Theriogenologists (DACT). After five years in private veterinary practice, Dr. Strickland transitioned into academia. He currently serves as an Associate Professor and Extension Veterinarian at the University of Tennessee. In this role, he provides training for veterinarians, livestock producers, and Extension agents, and serves as a resource on a wide range of species, including cattle, horses, sheep, goats, dogs and cats, pigs, poultry, and bees. Dr. Strickland also leads Extension’s Beef Quality Assurance program, provides clinical expertise in farm animal medicine and reproduction, and works with 4-H youth in livestock and horse projects. He has authored numerous articles and is a contributing author to the Merck Veterinary Manual. His work has been recognized with the Buford Ellington Distinguished Faculty Award and the Sandra Powell Award.
Andrew Weaver PhD
Dr. Weaver completed a B.S. from Michigan State in Animal Science, an M.S. from Virginia Tech in Animal Science and earned his Ph.D. in Animal and Food Science from West Virginia University, where he studied immune mechinisms related to parasite resistance. Currently, Dr. Weaver is the Small Ruminant Extension Specialist and an instructor at NC State University. Dr. Weaver’s research and extension interests focus on utilization of genetic tools and other management practices to improve parasite resistance, production efficiency, and end-product value of small ruminants. He has authored/co-authored 29 peer-reviewed manuscripts and popular press publications, over 50 invited presentations, 45 peer-reviewed abstracts, and secured more than 1.3 million dollars in funding.