STEVA ROBINSON REPPE - Owner & Graphic Designer
What are your responsibilities at Novel Designs?
I take care of all large print and signage projects, as well as oversee all design projects, along with the daily tasks of owning a small business!
How long have you been with Novel Designs?
Since the beginning - We started ND in January 2008!
Tell us about your background in the livestock industry and your family's current livestock operation.
I grew up showing lambs and steers. My husband Jason and I, along with our kids Brayden & Korbyn, operate Steva Robinson Show Stock, where we run around 250 club lamb ewes (blackface, dorsets and speckles). In addition, we help my dad with crops on our family farm. We also enjoy helping Brayden with his show lambs and showpigs! I also am a co-owner of Branded Show Gear.
What is your favorite part of working at Novel Designs?
My favorite part of working at Novel Designs is... there is never a dull day! There's always plenty to do and a great group of people to work with! I really enjoy working with our clients and helping them market their livestock. It's also humbling to have an awesome group of people to work with everyday who are as passionate about the success of Novel Designs as I am. My favorite days are when I can jump back in and do web updates for a day.
Where can we find you when you're not working?
Most likely in the barn, but outside of livestock, I love traveling and going to college sporting events. There's nothing better than the atmosphere of college football or basketball gameday.
Who are the last three artists on your Spotify?
Wade Bowen, Randy Rogers and Logan Mize.
Who is your favorite sports team?
Wisconsin Badgers and Green Bay Packers!
What is one thing you may not know about me?
After I was done showing livestock as a junior exhibitor, I studied for a semester in Seville, Spain.
What is your favorite quote?
"If what you did yesterday looks good to you today, then you haven't done much today."
"Purpose is an incredible alarm clock"
NICOLE ALLEN - SENIOR WEB DESIGNER & KEY ACCOUNTS
What are your responsibilities at Novel Designs?
My main focus is designing new websites as well as any advertising on Championdrive.com. I oversee Championdrive.com, am in charge of full-marketing for hipointgenetics.com, as well as jump in on updates on occasion.
How long have you been with Novel Designs?
I have been with Novel Designs since Summer of 2010.
Tell us about your background in the livestock industry and your family's current livestock operation.
I grew up on a farm in southeast Iowa where I showed lambs, pigs, and cattle. Today, I help operate with my husband, Allen Show Lambs & Treadmills, where we run approximately 100 head of crossbred ewes as well as manufacture treadmills for show lambs & goats. I also continue to stay actively involved in Middlesworth Club Lambs with my parents, Perry & Lori, as well as sister Jalene Middlesworth
What is your favorite part of working at Novel Designs?
I enjoy working with clients that have the same passion for the livestock industry that I have. Also working with my fun and friendly coworkers and having the flexibility to work from home while having young kids!
Where can we find you when you're not working?
One of 2 places - 1. ...in the barn. Whether it be lambing season or show season - there is never a dull moment in the barn! 2. ...chasing kids around. Sayde, Layne, and Jayce continue to keep me on my toes by having interests in showing pigs and lambs, playing softball, soccer, and basketball, as well as travelling the country-side with us to shows!
What is one thing you may not know about me?
I actually have my college degree in Education and Masters in School Counseling.
What is your favorite quote?
"Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail." - Ralph Waldo Emerson
Who is your favorite sports team?
College - Iowa State - Staying true to my alma mater!
Professional - OKC Thunder - The exciting atmosphere at the games is crazy!
What are you looking forward to in the coming year?
I am looking forward to traveling to national shows this fall, lambing season come winter and watching my girls grow up!
Who are the last three artists on your Spotify?
Blake Shelton, Chris Stapleton, Old Dominion
KATHERINE KUYKENDALL - KEY ACCOUNTS & SENIOR WEB DESIGNER
What are your responsibilities at Novel Designs?
I develop new websites, manage some of our larger accounts, and work on various other tasks that come my way!
How long have you been with Novel Designs?
I have been with Novel Designs since December of 2009.
Tell us about your background in the livestock industry and your family's current livestock operation.
I've been in the sheep industry my entire life. My parents (including my mom Sara, a fellow Novel Designs employee) fit and show sheep for a living and I quite literally grew up in the sheep barn. We currently raise Montadales, Cheviots, and Natural Coloreds, and show for other people throughout the year. I was also on the 2009 Livestock Judging Team at Purdue.
What is your favorite part of working at Novel Designs?
I love working at Novel Designs because it allows me to be professionally involved in the livestock industry and meet breeders throughout the country. I also appreciate my easy going (and fun!) coworkers and the flexibility of working from home or on the road. I have a lot of freedom to travel, and I take advantage of it!
Where can we find you when you're not working?
At a sheep show or a concert, almost always! I'm a live music junkie. You're also very likely to find me at Crossfit if I'm home.
What is one thing you may not know about me?
I play the guitar and am learning the banjo.
What is your favorite quote?
"Life's mostly attitude and driving." - Jack Ingram
Who are the last three artists on your Spotify?
Last 3 Artists: BJ Barham, Miranda Lambert, Cody Jinks
Favorite 3 Artists: Turnpike Troubadours, Dirty River Boys, Hayes Carll
Who is your favorite sports team?
Green Bay Packers! Go Pack Go!!! Also the Oklahoma State Cowboys and the Purdue Boilermakers - my alma maters!
KALI HERREN - GRAPHIC DESIGNER
What are your responsibilities at Novel Designs?
The majority of my responsibilities at Novel Designs revolve around print design and display signage design. Occasionally, I will help out with web graphics - such as designing websites and feature banners for championdrive.com.
How long have you been with Novel Designs?
In the summer of 2012, I had the opportunity to intern with Novel Designs. I joined the staff in May of 2013.
Tell us about your background in the livestock industry and your family's current livestock operation.
I grew up on my family's sheep and cattle operation in eastern South Dakota. I am fortunate to still be involved in our family's business and love going home to South Dakota as often as I can. Today, my husband Brock and I, along with our son Fisher, operate Herren Genetics - a showpig operation in Minco, OK.
What is your favorite part of working at Novel Designs?
I enjoy working at Novel Designs because of the great people we get to work with and also getting to assist producers market and advertise their stock by turning their ideas into designs.
Where can we find you when you're not working?
When I'm not working on my computer, I'm usually outside working in the barns and around our house!
What is your favorite quote?
I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel. - Maya Angelou
SARA KUYKENDALL - Updates TEAM
What are your responsibilities at Novel Designs?
Web updates, taglines for Championdrive.com, and adding content to websites for our new clients.
How long have you been with Novel Designs?
I started with Novel Designs in February of 2013.
Tell us about your background in the livestock industry and your family's current livestock operation.
I grew up in Maine and have been fitting and showing sheep my entire life. I graduated from the University of Connecticut with a BS in Animal Science. My husband Kevin, my daughter Katherine and I currently raise Montadales, Cheviots, and Natural Coloreds. In addition to our own sheep, we also fit and show sheep for several top flocks across the country. You can see us at many national shows throughout the year.
What is your favorite part of working at Novel Designs?
The flexibility, working in and keeping up to date with the different species.
Where can we find you when you're not working?
In the barn or at a show
What is one thing you may not know about me?
I'm ambidextrous
What is your favorite quote?
Do the best you can 'til you know better, then when you know better, do better. - Maya Angelou
Who are the last three artists on your Spotify?
Paul Thorn, Cody Jinks, Stoney LaRue
Who is your favorite sports team?
Green Bay Packers
KACI LUZUM - UPDATES TEAM
What are your responsibilities at Novel Designs?
My responsibilities include web updates, posting show results as well as representing Championdrive.com at shows/sales by getting results.
How long have you been with Novel Designs?
I started with Novel Designs as an intern in March of 2015. I joined the team full-time following my graduation from Iowa State University in May of 2016.
Tell us about your background in the livestock industry and your family's current livestock operation.
In 2004 at the start of my 4-H years, my family bought a set of bred ewes from the Middlesworth Family to start our club lamb operation. I had an immediate passion for the industry and was fortunate enough to be return to the farm after college to continue grow Keitzer Club Lambs alongside my father to run approximately 150 ewes today. My husband comes from a commercial cattle background out of Northeasat Iowa. We now reside on my family's farm in Southeast Iowa but remain actively involved on his family's farm as well.
What is your favorite part of working at Novel Designs?
My favorite part about working for Novel Designs is the great team to work with as well as the opportunity to work in an industry I became involved in at a young age. I also love the flexibility to continue being active on my family farm and raising livestock as I work from home.
Where can we find you when you're not working?
If I'm not online working you can usually find me around the farm working in the barn or helping my father.
What is one thing you may not know about me?
One thing you may not know about me is that I have traveled to Australia.
What is your favorite quote?
"When life is pulling you back, know it is preparing to launch you into something extraordinary. Stay focused. Keep aiming." - Unknown
Who are your favorite sports team?
St. Louis Cardinals & Iowa State Cyclones!
JANIE WEBSTER-SUDDETH - CLIENT COMMUNICATION AND ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE
What are your responsibilities at Novel Designs?
Client Communication and Accounts Receivables
How long have you been with Novel Designs?
I have been with Novel Designs since 2012.
Tell us about your background in the livestock industry and your family's current livestock operation.
In a nutshell - I grew up in Illinois showing pigs with my family, and then I married a cattle guy and moved to Wisconsin, and now our kids show lambs! Along with my husband Bruce and children Reid and Regan, we own and operate Suddeth Lamb Company in Mineral Point, WI. We spend many hours together in the barn and on the road - but I love it because we do it as a family.
What is your favorite part of working at Novel Designs?
My favorite part of working for Novel Designs is the people - both the wonderful and talented team that I work with and our clients!
Where can we find you when you're not working?
When I am not working you can most often find me with my family and friends. Livestock shows, sporting events, etc. - basically anything that my kids are doing!
What is one thing you may not know about me?
Fun fact about me - I am a former Illinois Poland China queen!
What is your favorite quote?
Hold the door, say please, say thank you Don't steal, don't cheat, and don't lie
I know you got mountains to climb but always stay humble and kind.
Who is your favorite sports team?
Mineral Point Pointers of course!
