MATT HAMILTON

After his father, Scott, introduced him to the game, Matt Hamilton started curling as a teen at the Madison Curling Club, located in McFarland Wisconsin. When Matt watched his father for the first time, he was decidedly unimpressed. But two weeks later, he returned to watch his father play, and one of the club members rapped on the ice house window and told him to come down. The next thing he knew, Matt was on the ice getting pointers.

The beginning may have been humble, but after a World Junior Championship, three U.S. National Championships, two U.S. Junior National Championships, two Continental Cup Championships, and tons of other trophies, medals and honors, Matt Hamilton's curling career reached its ultimate hight in South Korea in February of 2018, when Matt and his sister Becca finished 6th in the 2018 Olympic Winter Games Mixed Doubles Competition, and Matt and his teammates became a Gold Medal Winner in the Men's Team Competition, a title that no other United States Men's Team had ever accomplished.

Besides being known as a Olympic Gold Medalist, he is known for his mustache, his ultimate class of sportsmanship, and his competitiveness and love for Curling. He even has his own bobblehead.

In case you have been wondering, he does have a day job as a Research and Development Technician for Spectrum Brands. He and his wife Jen live in McFarland Wisconsin.

Matt Hamilton will be speaking at 3:00 on Tuesday, January 14, 2020 during the Opening General Session of the Wisconsin Agribusiness Classic.

ROB VERHELST

Fireman Rob Verhelst emphatically believes that there are no challenges or fears that cannot be overcome with the power of purpose and a strong mindset. And his life is a pure example that upholds that belief.

If his service in the U.S. Air Force, fifteen years as a firefighter, and eight days preforming search and recovery at the World Trade Center after the 9/11 attacks isn't enough, Fireman Rob holds the World Record for finishing the most Ironman 70.3 Triathlons in one year (23) - and he did it wearing his full firefighter gear during the running portion of these events.

Rob believes that life does not get easier… you just have to get stronger. And his passionate and motivating message will resonate with everyone in attendance.

Fireman Rob Verhelst will be speaking at 2:00 on Tuesday, January 14, 2020 during the Opening General Session of the Wisconsin Agribusiness Classic. We hope to see you there.

COLLIN WELTZIEN

Weltzien will be serving on the state FFA officer team with his younger brother, Curtis. The 19-year-old state FFA treasurer will be a sophomore at UW-River Falls, where he also is majoring in ag business. The brothers live on a 180-cow dairy farm with their parents and younger brother.

Collin Weltzien will be speaking at 1:10 on Tuesday, January 14, 2020 during the Opening General Session of the Wisconsin Agribusiness Classic.