Stockade has wrangled in Andy Starnes as the new National Sales Manager for North America.
Andy is a cattleman to the core. To illustrate just how much a cattleman he is, Andy explains that his office is actually in the barn. “When I am on the phone with a customer or in a conference call, if you listen close in the background, you may hear a few cows out in the weaning pasture.”
In between calving, vaccinating, spraying, fertilizing pasture, cutting and bailing hay, feeding cattle on the family ranch he tries to all of the fences to make sure they stay in good shape. He says “good fences really do make good neighbors and no one likes to get out and round up cattle when the temperature is 20 degrees Fahrenheit!”
Where do you live?
Cullman, Alabama (Southern U.S.) My great-grandparents bought our place in 1926 so we are approaching our “centennial” anniversary in a few years (2026). We have been ranching and farming for almost 100 years now.
What do you get up to outside of Stockade?
I stay fairly busy after Stockade work hours. Our family-run around 80-100 head of commercial Brangus cows and breed them to registered Angus bulls, between calving and growing hay for ourselves and the public. My dad is still very much involved with the help of myself and my two sons Cam and Carson. My sons will be the fifth generation of our family to be in the cattle business when they take over.
Otherwise, I love to hunt, fish, and work cattle with my sons. We are an outdoors family. I also enjoy taking my daughter out to dinner.
What are you most looking forward to in your role with Stockade?
Traveling the country, getting to know new people, and reconnecting with former customers. I enjoy hearing how people started their businesses and what keeps them in the industry.
If you could go on vacation anywhere in the world, where would it be?
I love to travel so that is a tough one. Anywhere with mountains or lots of history. I love history so maybe Italy or Spain.
What is one life lesson you live by?
Don’t achieve the status quo, invent it! Also, always provide more in value than you take in payment. I am big on both of those.
What makes you laugh without fail?
I laugh at myself a lot and I love watching old clips of comedians and storytellers Jerry Clower and Rodney Dangerfield. They had some really funny life stories.
What was the last tool your bought and why?
A Polaris Ranger UTV. They are cheaper than a good horse, but I do miss working cattle of horseback. Hopefully, my wife will let me buy another horse soon.