Max and his wife Linda live on a 500-acre family farm with their three children, and together they raise and show purebred beef cattle and grow corn, soybeans and hay. They also own and manage a 3,000-acre cow-calf ranching operation in western South Dakota. He is a graduate of South Dakota State University with degrees in animal science and communications. Max has been very actively involved in both the agricultural industry and community, serving on numerous boards and leadership positions, including serving on the Cooperative Plus Inc. board.