IDFA Names New Members of Executive Council and Directors for Five Industry Segment Boards

IDFA Names New Members of Executive Council and Directors for Five Industry Segment Boards

Daragh Maccabee of Idaho Milk Products Named Chair of the IDFA Executive Council

SAN ANTONIO, Jan. 26, 2025-The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) today announced new members of the organization's Executive Council as well as new directors for the group's five Industry Segment Boards. Daragh Maccabee, CEO of Idaho Milk Products, was selected to chair the IDFA Executive Council. Joe Diglio, president and CEO of Michigan Milk Producers Association was selected to be vice chair of the IDFA Executive Council.

IDFA's Executive Council is composed of executives from across the dairy foods industry and focuses on the business and operations of the association. The five Industry Segment Boards represent fluid milk, ice cream, cheese, yogurt and cultured products, and dairy-derived ingredients, and are composed of experts and executives who drive policy and strategy alongside the association's leadership. Together, the Executive Council and Industry Segment Boards make up IDFA's governance structure and ensure that IDFA represents and engages all segments of the growing dairy industry in the United States.

"These executives were selected for their outstanding leadership, business acumen and commitment to the future success of IDFA and the dairy industry in the United States," said Michael Dykes, D.V.M., president and CEO of IDFA. "Their knowledge and expertise will be instrumental in guiding our legislative, regulatory, communications, membership and workforce services so that IDFA continues working in the best interest of our members. We're excited to elevate and guide the industry to a new golden age for dairy."

IDFA's Nomination and Governance Committee considers nominations to the IDFA Executive Council and Segment Boards and recommends additions and changes for the IDFA Executive Council's approval. The Committee for a third straight year selected members of IDFA's NextGen Leadership Program to sit on each of IDFA's Industry Segment Boards.

"I'm grateful to the Nomination and Governance Committee for their thoughtful consideration and selection of these new Board members as we work together to cultivate a new generation of diverse leadership for our industry and position dairy for continued success, said Dykes.

"I am honored and flattered to be elected to this role and thank the Board for their trust and confidence," said Maccabee. "Our industry continues to excite me every day. There are so many things that unite us, and the platform of collaboration that IDFA provides, benefits our organizations individually and the industry as a whole. I look forward to working with Michael and the exceptional team at IDFA as we all work together towards an even better future for dairy."

"I am honored to serve as the Executive Council Vice Chair for the International Dairy Foods Association," said Diglio. "Alongside an exceptional group of leaders and talented team under Michael's leadership, I look forward to working together to strengthen the industry and continue innovating the future of dairy."

The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), Washington, D.C., represents the nation's dairy manufacturing and marketing industry, which supports more than 3.2 million jobs that generate $49 billion in direct wages and $794 billion in overall economic impact. IDFA's diverse membership ranges from multinational organizations to single-plant companies, from dairy companies and cooperatives to food retailers and suppliers, all on the cutting edge of innovation and sustainable business practices. Together, they represent most of the milk, cheese, ice cream, yogurt and cultured products, and dairy ingredients produced and marketed in the United States and sold throughout the world. IDFA's strategic focus, developed in collaboration with members of the IDFA Boards, focuses on five key areas: nutrition, health, and wellness; technology and innovation; sustainability; competitiveness; and people.

IDFA Executive Council Members

Officers (terms ending January 2027)
Chair: Daragh Maccabee, CEO, Idaho Milk Products
Vice Chair: Joe Diglio, President and CEO, Michigan Milk Producers Association
Secretary: Louie Gentine, CEO, Sargento Foods Inc.
Treasurer: Rich Draper, CEO, The Ice Cream Club, Inc.
Immediate Past Chair: Terry Brockman, Chief Business Officer, Saputo USA

IDFA Fluid Milk Board (terms ending January 2026)
Chair: Tim Kelly, SVP/GM, Shamrock Foods Company
Vice Chair: Thomas d'Hemecourt, CEO, Diversified Foods Inc.

IDFA Ice Cream Board (terms ending January 2026)
Chair: Andy Jacobs, CEO, Turkey Hill Dairy, Inc.
Vice Chair: Richard Graeter, President & CEO, Graeter's Ice Cream Company

IDFA Cheese Board (terms ending January 2026)
Chair: Kurt Epprecht, Owner/Vice President, Cheese Quality and Dairy Policy, Great Lakes Cheese Co., Inc.
Vice Chair: Sheryl Meshke, President and CEO, Associated Milk Producers, Inc.

IDFA Yogurt and Cultured Products Board (terms ending January 2026)
Chair: Courtney Bidney, Director, Labeling & Regulatory Compliance, General Mills
Vice Chair: Elaina Luu, Vice President, Procurement, Saputo Dairy Division USA

IDFA Ingredients Board (terms ending January 2027)
Chair: Gustavo Acosta, Director Global Procurement, Global Supply Operations, Abbott Nutrition
Vice Chair: Kyle Jensen, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Hilmar Cheese and Ingredients

IDFA Executive Council Directors (terms ending January 2028)
Jean-Philippe Asselin, President, Cheese US, Agropur U.S. Operations
Trevor Farrell, Executive Vice President and President, U.S., Schreiber Foods, Inc.
Lance FitzSimmons, President & CEO, Leprino Foods Company
Pierre Lorieau, SVP, Chief Legal Officer, Lactalis USA
David Nelsen, Group Vice President of Manufacturing, Albertsons Companies

IDFA Executive Council Directors (Term ending January 2027)
Ralph Hoffman, Executive Vice President, Supply Chain & Risk Management, Schuman Cheese
Gary Kaneb, President and CEO, HP Hood LLC

IDFA Executive Council Directors (terms ending January 2026)
Tim Doelman, CEO, fairlife, LLC
Jeff Gentine, President & CEO, Masters Gallery Food's Inc.
Scott McGinty, Chief Executive Officer, Aurora Organic Dairy
Brian Phelan, CEO, Glanbia Nutritionals, Glanbia plc

Gold Business Partner Representatives on Executive Council (term ending January 2028)
Betsy Erdelyi, Managing Director, BMO Harris Bank

Gold Business Partner Representatives on Executive Council (term ending January 2026)
Seth Teply, President & CEO, US and Canada, Tetra Pak, Inc.

For complete listings of IDFA Executive Council and Segment Board members, visit here.

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The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), Washington, D.C., represents the nation's dairy manufacturing and marketing industry, which supports more than 3.2 million jobs that generate $49 billion in direct wages and $794 billion in overall economic impact. IDFA's diverse membership ranges from multinational organizations to single-plant companies, from dairy companies and cooperatives to food retailers and suppliers, all on the cutting edge of innovation and sustainable business practices. Together, they represent most of the milk, cheese, ice cream, yogurt and cultured products, and dairy ingredients produced and marketed in the United States and sold throughout the world. Delicious, safe and nutritious, dairy foods offer unparalleled health and consumer benefits to people of all ages.