Kim Heiman elected to second term as president of WCMA
Nasonville Dairy plant manager assumes leadership position July 1.
Kim Heiman, plant manager at Nasonville Dairy, center, was elected President of the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association (WCMA), and will assume leadership on July 1, 2025. He poses with other members of the executive team, including,l. to r., Chris Roelli of Roelli Cheese, Mat Bartkowiak of Nelson-Jameson, Betsy Erdelyi of BMO Harris Bank, and Jeff Gentine of Masters Gallery Foods. Photo courtesy of WCMA.
Kim Heiman, plant manager at Nasonville Dairy, has been elected to serve as President of the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association (WCMA), Madison, Wis. Heiman, who also served as WCMA president from 2017-2019, will assume leadership on July 1, 2025, succeeding Tim Omer of Emmi Roth as he completes his maximum two-year term in the role.
As President, Heiman will lead an executive team that includes Jeff Gentine of Masters Gallery Foods as First Vice President, Mat Bartkowiak of Nelson-Jameson as Second Vice President, Betsy Erdelyi of BMO Harris Bank as Treasurer, and Chris Roelli of Roelli Cheese Co. returning as Secretary. All four were selected for their leadership roles for the new fiscal year beginning July 1.
Three new industry leaders were selected to join the WCMA Board of Directors in elections held this spring. Gustavo Badino of BelGioioso Cheese, Gloria Joseph of Organic Valley/CROPP Cooperative, and Matt Winsand of Burnett Dairy Cooperative will begin their terms on the Board July 1. Also joining the Board this summer are Doug Simon of Cheese Merchants of America and John Freeman of Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, assuming positions previously held by Bob Greco and Kevin Pieh, respectively.
Also returning to WCMA’s 27-member Board are Greg Alberts of Kelley Supply, Mindy Berrey of Land O’Lakes, Luke Buholzer of Klondike Cheese Company, Wilf Costello of Glanbia Nutritionals, Steve Doyle of Sartori Company, Jenny Drake of Grande Cheese Company, Tony Eafanti of Leprino Foods Company, Kurt Epprecht of Great Lakes Cheese, Mark Federico of Narragansett Creamery, Richard Guggisberg of Guggisberg Cheese, Kerry Henning of Henning Cheese, Kyle Jensen of Hilmar Cheese Company, Jon Metzig of Union Star Cheese Factory, Orphee Paillotin of Alpinage Cheese, Declan Roche of Foremost Farms USA, Steve Stettler of Decatur Dairy, Bruce Workman of Edelweiss Creamery.
WCMA sincerely thanks the outgoing members who will complete their maximum terms on the Board this year: Mike Hinrichsen of Associated Milk Producers Inc.; Ryan LaGrander of LaGrander’s Hillside Dairy, completing the term of the late Randy LaGrander; Tim Omer of Emmi Roth; and Mike Sipple of Agropur.
“We’re grateful to those leaving the Board this year, and we look forward to bringing these first-time Board members into the Association’s leadership. It’s a privilege to have the thoughtful guidance and support of these leaders in dairy processing as we work together to grow and strengthen our industry,” said WCMA Executive Director John Umhoefer.
WCMA membership is open to dairy processors, manufacturers, marketers, and suppliers nationwide. More information is available at WisCheeseMakers.org/Become-A-Member.
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