ALEX JOHNS

OWNER, FIRST AMERICAN RANCH, OKEECHOBEE

Johns says his connection to livestock management stretches back to the 1500s, when his ancestors poached their first cow from Spanish explorers. Centuries of tradition culminated in the First American Ranch, the family operation that Johns inherited in his 20s. A member of the Seminole Tribe of Florida, he grew up working on the tribe’s ranching operations and eventually served as the tribe’s natural resources director. In 2018, Johns was named president of the Florida Cattlemen’s Association — becoming the first Native American to head the organization — after years in other leadership positions. He remains an active member of the association and the National Cattlemen's Beef Association.