The Elmhurst, Ill.-based American Dairy Products Institute (ADPI) announced that Kimberlee (K.J.) Burrington will join its staff as director – training, education and technical development. She will begin her new role on Jan. 4, 2021. 

Burrington has a B.S. and an M.S. in food science from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. She has been working as the dairy ingredient applications program coordinator for the Center for Dairy Research (CDR) since 1997. Burrington has more than 30 years of experience in product development, ADPI noted, including at past positions with Ridgeview Industries, the Keebler Co. and as a consultant to the baking industry. She is also a Dairy Foods columnist.

In her most recent CDR position, Burrington has provided technical support for U.S. dairy processors and end users on dairy ingredient functionality and applications, cultured products and beverages, ADPI said. she has also provided technical support for food companies internationally through visits and seminars provided by the U.S. Dairy Export Council to countries such as Mexico, China, South Korea, Japan, Vietnam, and the regions of Latin America and Southeast Asia. Burrington is a Certified Food Scientist and a long-standing member of the ADPI Center of Excellence, where she has been involved as both a resource to ADPI members and an instructor/subject matter expert within ADPI’s training and education programs and events.

“ADPI has a strategic precept and commitment to training, education and development for its members and the broader dairy ingredients and related products industry, and having K.J. join our team will enable us to enhance and expand our efforts and actions in this key area going forward,” said Blake Anderson, ADPI’s president and CEO. “We’ll have more exciting news to share in this area as we get closer to the end of 2020 and beginning of 2021, so stay tuned.”

Burrington will be based out of the Madison, Wis., area as well as ADPI’s headquarters location in Elmhurst, Ill., and will report directly to Anderson, ADPI said.