The Dairy Council of California has elected Mike Newell its board chairman for 2005. Newell, president of Crystal Cream & Butter Co., has served on the Dairy Council board since 1999.

"Newell's experience in the industry and his commitment to the Dairy Council and our mission of teaching children and adults to make healthy food choices will be instrumental to our success in the upcoming years," said Peggy Biltz, CEO of the organization. "We are on track to achieve our goal of reaching 5 million Californians with healthy eating messages this year, and Newell's support is critical."