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

PALM DESERT, Calif., Jan. 25, 2026-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. 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 proven leadership, business expertise and commitment to the future of the U.S. dairy industry," said Michael Dykes, D.V.M., president and CEO of IDFA. "They bring invaluable perspective to our work, and their guidance will strengthen IDFA's legislative, regulatory, communications, membership and workforce initiatives as we advance the interests of our members. Together, the future of the dairy industry is incredibly bright."

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 fourth 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.

The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), Washington, D.C., represents the nation's dairy manufacturing and marketing industry, which supports more than 3 million jobs that generate $198 billion in direct wages and $779 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 (Term ending January 2027)
Chair: Daragh Maccabee, CEO, Idaho Milk Products
Vice Chair: Joe Diglio, President and CEO, Michigan Milk Producers Association
Secretary: Louie P. Gentine, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Sargento Foods Inc.
Treasurer: Rich D. Draper, Chief Executive Officer, The Ice Cream Club, Inc.
Immediate Past Chair: Terry Brockman, SVP Operations, Supply Chain, Dairy Procurement, Ingredients and Industry Affairs, Saputo Dairy Division USA

IDFA Fluid Milk Board (Term Ending January 2028)
Chair: Thomas d'Hemecourt, CEO, Diversified Foods Inc.
Vice Chair: Joe Carson, President & CEO, United Dairy, Inc.

IDFA Cheese Board (Term Ending January 2028)
Chair: Sheryl Meshke, President and CEO, Associated Milk Producers, Inc.
Vice Chair: Jeff Gentine, President & CEO, Masters Gallery Foods, Incorporated

IDFA Ice Cream Board (Term Ending January 2028)
Chair: Richard Graeter, President & Chief Executive Officer, Graeter's Ice Cream Company
Vice Chair: Jimmy Lawhorn, President, Blue Bell Creameries, L.P.

IDFA Yogurt and Cultured Products Board (Term Ending January 2028)
Chair: Elaina Luu, Vice President, Procurement, Saputo Dairy Division USA
Vice Chair: Andrea Garrelhas, Chief Procurement Officer, Danone U.S.

IDFA Ingredients Board (Term Ending January 2027)
Chair: Gustavo Acosta, Director, Dairy Procurement and Operations, Abbott Nutrition
Vice Chair: Kyle Jensen, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Hilmar

IDFA Executive Council Directors (Term ending January 2029)
Kurt Epprecht, Owner/Vice President, Cheese Quality and Dairy Policy, Great Lakes Cheese Co., Inc.
Andy Jacobs, CEO, Turkey Hill Dairy, Inc.
Matt McClelland, CEO/Executive Vice President, Prairie Farms Dairy, Inc.
Dennis Rodenbaugh, President and CEO, Dairy Farmers of America, Inc.

IDFA Executive Council Directors (Term 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, Senior Vice President, Chief Legal Officer & U.S. Head of Government Affairs and Communication, Lactalis USA
David Nelsen, Group Vice President of Manufacturing, Albertsons Companies

IDFA Executive Council Directors (Term ending January 2027)
Ralph Hoffman, Chief Business Officer, Schuman Cheese
Gary Kaneb, President and CEO, HP Hood LLC

Gold Business Partner Representatives (Term ending January 2028)
Betsy Erdelyi, Managing Director, Food, Consumer & Agribusiness Group, BMO Harris Bank

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

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Contact: [email protected]

The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), Washington, D.C., represents the nation's dairy manufacturing and marketing industry, which supports more than 3 million jobs that generate $198 billion in direct wages and $779 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.