ROSEMONT, Ill. – Dairy Management Inc. (DMI), which manages the national dairy checkoff, recently promoted Barb O’Brien to the newly created position of president. In this role, O’Brien will oversee the strategic planning and operations for DMI.
“Barb has a proven track record in developing strategy and building partnerships with and through the industry to position U.S. dairy farmers and the broader dairy community for success,” DMI CEO Tom Gallagher said. “She has successfully managed virtually every area of DMI at one time or another. But most important, Barb has the respect of the staff, as well as industry and partner leaders.”
O’Brien, a 15-year veteran of DMI, will remain as president of the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy, an entity she helped design and build eight years ago that advances collaboration among more than 450 companies and 1,000 farmers and others from across the dairy community to help guide the industry’s future.
O’Brien’s transition to president allows Gallagher to focus even more on new business-building opportunities that can enhance the checkoff’s long-term vision and strategy on behalf of U.S. dairy farmers and importers.
“As our world and the environment in which we operate moves and changes at an ever-accelerating rate, so must we,” Gallagher said. “It is my mission to make sure we not only keep up, but that we see around corners to anticipate what’s ahead.”
Paul Rovey, Arizona dairy farmer and chairman of DMI, said this move enhances the checkoff’s mission of growing sales of and public trust in dairy. “This strengthens our immediate needs and allows us to take a deeper strategic look to explore untapped areas that will make a difference for farmers,” he said.
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About Dairy Management
Dairy Management Inc.™ (DMI) is funded by America’s more than 43,000 dairy farmers and dairy importers. Created to help increase sales and demand for dairy products, DMI and its related organizations work to increase demand for dairy through research, education and innovation, and to maintain confidence in dairy foods, farmers and businesses. DMI manages National Dairy Council and the American Dairy Association, and founded the U.S. Dairy Export Council, and the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy. To learn more about the dairy checkoff, visit www.dairy.org
Source: Dairy Management
