Gene Copenhaver is a fifth-generation cattleman whose family dates to the 1850s in Washington County, Virginia. Copenhaver currently manages his family’s stocker operation in southwest Virginia with his son, Will. Copenhaver was an agriculture loan officer for 38 years and served his clients who were primarily cattle producers in five East Coast states.

Prior to his current role, Copenhaver served as chair of NCBA’s Policy Division, vice chair and chair of NCBA’s Tax & Credit Committee and vice chair and chair of NCBA’s International Trade Committee. He is a past president of the Virginia Cattlemen’s Association and past chairman of the Virginia Cattle Foundation. He and his family have long been active members and supporters of NCBA, Virginia Cattlemen’s Association, Smyth-Washington Cattlemen’s Association and the Virginia Cattlemen’s Foundation.  

Copenhaver graduated from Virginia Tech with a degree in animal science. He has been married to his wife, Jodi, for 35 years, and they have three grown children, Brad, Will and Jaymee, and one granddaughter, Aila.