Washington, D.C. – The International Dairy Foods Association announced the names of nearly 100 dairy executives who have been selected to serve as directors on the association’s newly formed Industry Segment Boards. These boards, which will launch in March, represent fluid milk, ice cream, cheese, yogurt and cultured products, and dairy-derived ingredients. The new directors will provide strategic vision, policy direction and leadership on segment-specific issues.
“These executives were nominated and selected based on their demonstrated leadership, business expertise and willingness to dedicate time to the future success of IDFA and the dairy industry,” said Michael Dykes, D.V.M., president and CEO of IDFA. “I look forward to receiving each director’s valued input as we move forward together to address the priorities and goals that are important to our members and the dairy industry overall.”
IDFA also announced plans to add other boards in the future as the industry continues to evolve and new product categories emerge.
“If your company makes anything with at least one drop of milk, IDFA is the home for you,” Dykes said.
Enhanced Advocacy and Inclusiveness
Each Industry Segment Board will conduct business in coordination with the IDFA Executive Council, which includes the chairs and vice chairs of each Industry Segment Board. The Executive Council, which was seated in January, focuses on the business and operations of the association to carry out its fiduciary responsibilities.
The new boards will allow IDFA to enhance legislative, regulatory and communication efforts on behalf of its members and increase the return on investment that they receive through membership.
“We are excited about the association’s new, more nimble operating structure and our plans to work with a broader group of leaders covering the entire range of dairy products and services,” Dykes added. “This comprehensive approach places IDFA in a unique and strategic position to advocate for all of dairy processing.”
According to Dan Zagzebski, president and CEO of Great Lakes Cheese Co., Inc., and chairman of the IDFA Executive Council, “Creating a structure with room for growth will allow IDFA to support the changing needs of its members and the dairy foods industry overall. I’m honored to serve as the inaugural chairman of the Executive Council and look forward to working with IDFA and my industry colleagues as we navigate the next phase of evolution and growth.”
Industry Segment Boards Chairs and Vice Chairs
IDFA Fluid Milk Board
Chair Jeffrey Kaneb, Executive Vice President, HP Hood LLC
Vice Chair Ed Mullins, Executive Vice President & CEO, Prairie Farms Dairy, Inc.
IDFA Ice Cream Board
Chair Mike Wells, President and Chief Executive Officer, Wells Enterprises, Inc.
Vice Chair Rich D. Draper, Chief Executive Officer, The Ice Cream Club, Inc.
IDFA Cheese Board
Chair Louie P. Gentine, Chief Executive Officer, Sargento Foods Inc.
Vice Chair Doug Simon, President, Agropur USA Operations, Agropur U.S. Operations
IDFA Yogurt and Cultured Products Board
Chair Philippe L. Caradec, Vice President, Public Affairs & Sustainable Development NORAM, Danone North America
Vice Chair Tim Walls,Executive Vice President, Schreiber US, Schreiber Foods, Inc.
IDFA Ingredients Board
Chair Andrei Mikhalevsky, President and CEO, California Dairies, Inc.
Vice Chair Terry Brockman, President & COO, U.S. Division, Saputo Cheese USA Inc.
The complete roster of directors for each Industry Segment Board is available on our website by clicking on the links provided below:
IDFA Fluid Milk Board
IDFA Ice Cream Board
IDFA Cheese Board
IDFA Yogurt and Cultured Products Board
IDFA Ingredients Board
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The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), Washington, D.C., represents the nation’s dairy manufacturing and marketing industry, which supports nearly 3 million jobs that generate more than $161 billion in wages and has an overall economic impact of more than $628 billion. IDFA members range from multinational organizations to single-plant companies. Together they represent approximately 90 percent of the milk, cultured products, cheese, ice cream and frozen desserts produced and marketed in the United States and sold throughout the world. The diverse membership includes numerous food retailers, suppliers, cooperatives and companies that offer a wide variety of nutritional dairy products and dairy-derived ingredients. Visit IDFA at www.idfa.org.
