ROSEMONT, Ill. – Leaders of Dairy Management Inc. (DMI), the National Dairy Promotion and Research Board (NDB) and the United Dairy Industry Association (UDIA) announced newly elected officers who will help guide national dairy checkoff strategies and programs aimed at protecting and growing dairy sales.
“I’m honored and excited to continue working alongside dairy farmers nationwide to strengthen demand and build new opportunities for our industry,” said Marilyn Hershey, a Cochranville, Pa., farmer who was re-elected chair of DMI. “Together, our boards play a critical role in guiding investments and ensuring the checkoff delivers meaningful value for farmers and importers.”
DMI, which manages the national checkoff program, is co-funded by NDB and UDIA. In addition to Hershey, other DMI officers elected are:
- Vice Chair – Mary Kraft, Fort Morgan, Colo.
- Secretary – Roger Fluegel, Visalia, Calif.
- Treasurer – Becky Nyman, Hilmar, Calif.
The NDB elected the following officers:
- Chair – Lolly Lesher, Bernville, Pa.
- Vice Chair – Marv Post, Volga, S.D.
- Secretary – Arlene VanderEyk, Tulare, Calif.
- Treasurer – Gail Klinkner, Viroqua, Wis.
The 37-member NDB, formed in May 1984 under the authority of the Dairy Production Stabilization Act of 1983, carries out coordinated promotion and research programs to help build demand and expand domestic and international markets for dairy products.
UDIA officers elected during the 2025 joint annual meeting of UDIA, NDB and the National Milk Producers Federation are:
- Chair – Charles Krause, Buffalo, Minn.
- 1st Vice Chair – Kris Wardin, St. Johns, Mich.
- 2nd Vice Chair – Audrey Donahoe, Clayville, N.Y.
- Secretary – Daniel Buttars, Lewiston, Utah
- Treasurer – Tom Walsh, De Graff, Minn.
The UDIA is a federation of state and regional dairy farmer-funded promotion organizations that provide marketing programs developed and implemented in coordination with its members. The UDIA is overseen by a board comprised of dairy farmers elected by respective local and regional boards of UDIA member organizations.
National Dairy Council officers elected are:
- Chair – Audrey Donahoe
- Vice Chair – Perry Tjaarda, Shafter, Calif.
- Secretary – Sutton Rucks, Okeechobee, Fla.
- Treasurer – Michael Ferguson, Senatobia, Miss.
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