MEET THE TEAM
BEN MINDEN
Founder/President
After serving in the 101st Airborne Division and 3rd Ranger Battalion, Ben started Bear Hug Cattle Company in 2019. Ben is a graduate of the United States Military Academy and has an MBA from Harvard Business School. Ben is passionate about the ranching community and veterans.
IAN CONCANNON
Vice President
Born and raised in south Boston, Ian is a graduate of Norwich University. Ian wrestled in college and is a veteran of 3rd Ranger Battalion. Ian manages the operations of the BHCC training program.
TREY KENSING
Board Member
Growing up in Texas, Trey has always loved horses and baseball. Trey played baseball at Texas Tech and after graduating joined the Army. A veteran of 3rd Ranger BN, Trey was a founding member of BHCC and is now an active board member.
BOBBY KULP
Board Member
Bobby played lacrosse at the United States Military Academy and after graduating he commissioned as an Infantry officer. Bobby lives in the Fort Bragg area and is an active board member at BHCC.
CHRISTIAN SMITH
Board Member
Christian brings over a decade of non profit experience to the team. He is currently completing his PhD at Kings College in London and is an active board member.
2023 CREW
JONATHAN WELBORN
Army
I spent my childhood in Southwest Missouri. I enlisted in the Army in 2012; serving as a Military Police Officer and later serving as a Communications Sergeant in Special Forces. I want to get into ranching because for me I see a lot of value in this way of life; it provides me with an opportunity to work with the land using my hands doing something I love, and an opportunity for my wife and I to raise our future family in a values driven community.
CODY SEHIE
USMC
I grew up in East Missouri and enlisted in Marines in 2018;Â serving as infantry rifleman with a special billet of Security Forces. Stationed in Yorktown, Virginia with 2nd Platoon, Charlie Company, Fleet Anti-terrorism Security Team (FAST). Deployed to Spain, Africa and Cuba, after my service I attened farrier school and found a passion for this lifestyle.
TRISTAN COX
Army
"I was born and raised in Central Oregon in a multigenerational logging family. I joined the Army National Guard in 2016 and currently serve as a Infantry Team Leader in the 1-82 Cav Sniper Section. I plan to take the skills and knowledge I develop at Bear Hug Cattle Company's program and put it to use on my own leased land that I hope one day will be grazed by cattle."
JIM WARREN
Marine Corps
I grew up in Central Oregon. Did HS rodeo and worked on cars with my old man. I went in the Marine Corps in 2012 and got out in 2016. I was an infantry Sergeant and LAV-25 vehicle commander at the 2D Light armored reconnaissance battalion (LAR). After my enlistment I went into law enforcement for 5 years. I am pursuing ranching because I have always been very passionate about the industry. I wish to start my own ranching operation and be able to pass down invaluable life skills and lessons to our future generations.