About Us

Raphiel Jolliffe

President

Raph began his ag career working for a farmer at a young age. He graduated from Northeastern Junior College in Sterling, Colorado with an Associate's degree in Agri-Business. He worked for a local farmer, then started his own trucking business. After getting married, he and his wife decided to get back into the ag industry and bought a combine to start their harvest run. After having their 3 children, they changed up their business so Raph could stay closer to home. Raph then shifted into the custom forage harvesting business.

Raph started his custom farming/harvesting business on his own, so he understands the issues start-up crews can face. He also still operates both custom grain and forage equipment, so his well-rounded background is always helpful.

Raph was a board member from 2018 to 2020, then was elected Vice President in 2021. He served as USCHI Board President in 2022. Raph was re-elected as Vice President in 2025. Raph has traveled to many trade shows, Washington D.C. and completed media interviews on behalf of USCHI. He also holds a position on his county Farm Bureau in Colorado. You can reach Raph at 970.554.0037 or [email protected].

Mychal Neumiller

Vice President

Mychal is part of a family operation that consists of his dad and 2 brothers out of Bowdon, North Dakota. He graduated with an Associate's degree in Accounting from Minnesota State Community and Technical College. Mychal started out on his own in 2004, traveling down to Texas with 1 combine and no customers. Their operation has since grown to 11 combines that run from Texas to North Dakota harvesting grain.

Mychal understands what it takes to get clients and employees. Mychal is part of a large family operation, so he is knowledgeable with all the aspects that come with that part of the business.

Mychal was elected to the board in 2023. He served as Treasurer in 2024 and Secretary in 2025. He was re-elected to the board as Vice President in 2026. Mychal has traveled to the FFA Convention, Commodity Classic, Washington D.C. and completed media interviews on behalf of USCHI. He also holds a board position on his kids' school board. You can reach Mychal at 701.341.7257 or [email protected].

Paul Paplow

Advisor

Paul began harvesting with his dad, Gary Paplow, in 1992. After graduating from South Dakota State University in 2006, Paul joined the family business out of Worthington, Minnesota, full time. Paplow Harvesting and Trucking travels from Texas to Montana throughout the year harvesting grain crops.

The Paplow crew started out with 2 machines and now operates 10. Paul understand the challenges with all different sizes of crews and realizes we all need to be proactive and stay ahead of new regulations and rules our industry faces. He is also knowledgeable in the J1 Visa program.

Paul was a board member for 3 years, serving as board secretary for 1 of those years. He then was elected Vice President in 2023 and moved to the Presidency in 2025. Paul has traveled to Commodity Classic, Washington D.C. and completed many media interviews on behalf of USCHI. You can reach Paul at 507.360.2674 or [email protected].

Seth Buxcel

Treasurer

Seth came into the custom forage harvesting industry in 2015 when he moved back to Montana. He has a wealth of knowledge from his time as a CNH product development engineer and a maintenance supervisor at a coal mine. He co-owns BXL Inc. out of Savage, Montana with his brother. Seth and his brother, Tate, started out with 1 chopper and have grown since. They harvest and chop along the beautiful Yellowstone River.

Seth is extremely good with accounting and numbers. He is great at explaining finances and operations to those that need help. If he doesn't know an answer, Seth loves to research and read until he understands the topic.

Seth was elected to the board in 2024 and has been the board treasurer for 2 years. He has since traveled to Washington D.C. and all the forage events we can send him to, such as Wisconsin Custom Operators and National Cattleman's Beef Association. You can reach Seth at 406.480.4559 or [email protected].

Rodney Wolgemuth

Secretary

Rodney grew up as a farm kid in Pennsylvania. He always loved coming out west to see the combines running in the big fields. After graduating high school in 2013, he worked for a farmer in Colorado for a year. Rodney then returned to the family farm where his role evolved into helping his uncle, Eric, run their grain harvest crew in the Midwest. He spends his springs and early falls in Nebraska planting and harvesting family farmground there as well.

Rodney's headquarters is 90 miles from Washington D.C., so he is very helpful if USCHI ever needs an "actual harvester, real-life" presence. He also still operates the business in the Midwest and Pennsylviania, so he has a diverse crop background.

Rodney was elected to the board in 2025 and is the 2026 board secretary. He has traveled to D.C. and many trade shows in the past 2 years already! You can reach Rodney at 717.991.4522 or [email protected].

Aubree Thouvenel

Director

Aubree has been on the harvest trail for many years. Although she did not grow up in agriculture, she and her husband started out as two wide-eyed kids who really didn't know the industry well. They learned about the business through trial and error and figuring things out the hard way. Aubree and her family now travel the Midwest harvesting grain.

Aubree has knowledge of starting up a crew from scratch and family operations. She has also had H-2A employees for over 18 years, so she is a great source of information for visas. Navigating social media and overall creativity are also a few of Aubree's strengths.

Aubree was elected to the board in 2025. She has orchestated the Kids' Safety Day at the annual convention for over 5 years now. Aubree has traveled to Washington D.C. and been instrumental in the new USCHI Ag Apprenticeship Program. You can reach Aubree at 573.745.0732 or [email protected].

Ryan Graham

Director

Ryan owns Open A Lazy E Land & Cattle Harvesting out of Del Norte, Colorado. He and his wife, Casey, started the business 20 years ago. They now run it as a family with their 3 kids. Ryan grew up on a potato/barley farm in Center, Colorado, but never had any interest in farming potatoes. From the time he was 5, Ryan always knew being a harvester is what he wanted to do. He has traveled riding broncs, worked in Canada for a ranch, and owned a custom farming and baling business. Ryan and Casey started their dream of custom harvesting in 2007.

Ryan was elected to the board in 2026 and was thrown in quicky! So far this year, he has attended Commodity Classic and been to Washington D.C. He has a variety of experiences and is quickly becoming as asset to the board. To reach Ryan, you can call him at 719.850.0547 or email him at [email protected].

Taff Hughes

Director

Taff's harvesting career started as a J1 intern from Wales in 1991 on silage harvest. He had a few short years operating a silage chopper, then managed a large grain harvesting crew for 10 years. In 2006, Taff became the independent owner of his own company until present. In 2024, his focus changed. He sold his combines and most of his support equipment and went on a forage harvest crew once again to operate a chopper after a 33 year sabbatical. Taff now owns and operates couple trucks with his son through their up and growing operation in forage and manure handling.

Taff started his custom harvesting business on his own, so he understands the issues start-up crews can face. He also still operates both custom grain and forage equipment, so his well-rounded background is always helpful. He is also extremely familiar with H2A and J1 Visas.

Taff was a board member from 2011 to 2014, then was elected Vice President in 2015. He served as USCHI Board President in 2016. Taff was re-elected to the board in 2026. Taff has traveled to many trade shows, Washington D.C. and completed media interviews on behalf of USCHI. He brings plenty of history and knowledge to the board. You can reach Taff at 620.617.7770 or [email protected].