SYRACUSE, NY – American Dairy Association North East dairy farmer board of directors, representing 9,000 northeast dairy farmers, is pleased to announce John Chrisman is the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the organization. As CEO, Chrisman will lead the organization to fulfill its mission to promote dairy and serve as the association’s key liaison with industry and government leaders.
Prior to being named CEO, Chrisman held senior leadership positions in retail marketing, producer relations, school marketing, processor relations, and hunger relief. His passion for the dairy industry extends beyond the job. He believes the relationships he developed within agriculture and associated industries over the past 21 years shaped him into the person he is today.
“Over the years, I have performed a wide range of functions, which allowed me to work one-on-one with dairy farmers as well as consumers. I believe my experience and insight will be key to elevating our programs in retail, schools, broadcast media, and digital marketing to meet demand of consumers,” says Chrisman.
“With more than two decades of experience leading multiple departments in dairy promotion, John is perfectly suited for this new challenge,” says ADANE Board President Audrey Donahoe. “We are thrilled to have someone with such knowledge and commitment to dairy farmers lead our organization into the future.”
Chrisman says he is humbled to be selected by dairy farmers for the role. “There are no better or harder working people than the dairy farmers who I will represent. I am both honored and privileged to have been chosen and trusted to lead the organization on their behalf.”
Chrisman joined dairy promotion in 2001 with American Dairy Association Mideast in Ohio and continued his career with Mid-Atlantic Dairy Association and Pennsylvania Dairy Promotion Program based in Philadelphia. These two groups merged with American Dairy Association & Dairy Council in Syracuse, New York, in 2016 to become American Dairy Association North East.
Chrisman holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Robert Morris University, Pittsburgh, Pa. He will start in his new position as Chief Executive Officer of ADANE on June 2, 2022. Chrisman succeeds Rick Naczi who is retiring after 32 years of leading the regional dairy checkoff promotion group.
About American Dairy Association North East
American Dairy Association North East (ADA North East) is the dairy farmer-funded organization funded by participating dairy farmer’s checkoff investment to build demand and sales for milk and dairy foods throughout the local region. Representing 9,000 dairy farm families in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and northern Virginia, ADA North East develops and implements local programs to drive milk and dairy sales at retail outlets and in schools. The organization also conducts consumer education about dairy through events, traditional and social media, and in collaboration with health professionals through National Dairy Council®. ADA North East works closely with Dairy Management Inc.™, the national dairy checkoff organization, to support nutrition research, national partnerships and developing export markets for dairy to bring a fully integrated promotion program to the region. For more information, visit www.AmericanDairy.com, or call 315.472.9143.
