NPGA Staff

Originally from Pollock SD, Shannon was raised on a cattle & grain farm and studied business management/political science before beginning her career in agriculture. Shannon has worked directly for the pulse industry for 20 years and has served as the NPGA Executive Director since 2008. She also served as Administrator of the North Dakota Dry Pea & Lentil Council from 2007 to 2023. Berndt’s prior work experience included working for association management companies whose clients included several North Dakota agriculture commodity groups, a U.S. Congressional office and North Dakota Farm Bureau.   

Tom Allen is the new Montana Field Representative for the Northern Pulse Growers Association. He grew up on a family farm near Big Sandy, raising wheat, barley, and Red Angus cattle. With a B.S. in Ag Education-Extension and a Master’s in Plant Science from Montana State University, Tom spent nearly 30 years with MSU as an Agricultural County Extension Agent in three counties and held research roles at the Northern Ag Research Center in Havre. Since joining NPGA in June, he has traveled extensively across Montana, attending field days and reconnecting with colleagues in Extension and research. Based in Great Falls, he works closely with the Montana Pulse Growers Committee to support pulse producers and is impressed by the ongoing research efforts across the state.

Sarah Massey grew up in North Dakota and attended Bishop Ryan High School before studying at Dakota College at Bottineau. She’s an avid tennis and pickleball player and has always enjoyed staying active.

Her career started in church administration, managing the parishes of St. Leo, St. Mary, and St. Philomena in Minot, Foxholm, and Glenburn. In 2020, she started her own business, now known as Sips, which she still runs today. With a background in advertising, marketing, and office management, she’s spent her career juggling creative projects and keeping things running smoothly behind the scenes.