Dairy Farmers of America Inc.’s board of directors has elected Randy Mooney to the position of board chairman. Mooney takes the position formerly held by Tom Camerlo, who passed away in December.

Mooney, of Rogersville, Mo., most recently served as first vice chair of the DFA board and is a member of DFA’s executive committee and chair of the Southeast Area Council. In addition, Mooney is chair of National Milk Producers Federation and serves on the boards of several dairy organizations, including Missouri Dairy Association, Missouri State Milk, Southern Marketing Agency, Dairy Cooperative Marketing Association, Inc., Milk Processor Education program and Dairy Promotion, Inc.

Also at the election meeting, which takes place March 23-24 in Kansas City, Mo., the board named Wayne Palla first vice chair. Palla, of Clovis, N.M., previously served as vice chair of DFA’s board. He also is a member of DFA’s executive committee and chair of the Southwest Area Council. He is on the National Milk Producers Federation Board and the U.S. Dairy Export Council.

“Randy has a strong history of leadership in the dairy industry, and I know that he will continue that tradition as he takes on this new role for the DFA Board,” said Rick Smith, DFA president and CEO. “With continued volatility pressing our farmer owners, there promises to be many challenges ahead, but I’m confident that Randy and Wayne’s combined knowledge, experience and sound judgment will serve the Cooperative and our members well.”

Furthermore, Mickey Childers, Somerville, Ala., will serve as vice chair of the board and chair of the Audit Committee.

Tom Croner, Berlin, Pa., will continue his roles as secretary/treasurer of the board and chair of the Finance and Budget Committee. Jerrel Heatwole, Greenwood, Del., will continue serving as vice chair of the board and chair of the Government, Member and Public Relations Committee. George Mertens, Sonoma, Calif., will continue serving as vice chair of the board and chair of the Fluid Marketing and Public Policy Committee. And Bill Siebenborn, Trenton, Mo., will continue serving as vice chair of the board and chair of the Value-Added Committee.

In addition, Eugene Robertson of Pine Grove, La., and Pete Olsen of Fallon, Nev., were appointed directors on the board as a result of recent elections in their areas.

Dairy Farmers of America Inc. is a dairy marketing cooperative that serves and is owned by nearly 17,000 members on more than 9,500 farms in 48 states. DFA is one of the country’s most diversified manufacturers of dairy products, food components and ingredients, and is a leader in formulating and packaging shelf-stable dairy products. For more information, call 888/DFA-MILK (332-6455) or visit www.dfamilk.com.

Visit the new www.dfamilk.com site for this and other Annual Meeting news, including 2009 Financial Results, the inaugural Tom Camerlo Leadership Award, 2010 Members of Distinction, 2010 Scholarship Recipients and more.


Contact:
Kristi Bell, media relations manager
816/801-6636
kbell@dfamilk.com