Vandenheuvel officially takes over as California Dairies Inc. CEO
Logo courtesy of California Dairies.
California Dairies Inc. (CDI) announced the successful completion of its planned leadership transition. Following a transition period, Rob Vandenheuvel has been named President and CEO, effective Nov. 1.
Vandenheuvel succeeds Brad Anderson, who is retiring after six years of distinguished service as CEO and a total of more than seven years with CDI.
Anderson's tenure as CEO was marked by a period of significant growth and transformation. Under his visionary leadership, Anderson spearheaded the construction of CDI’s state-of-the-art processing facility in Bakersfield, CA, Valley Natural Beverages, expanding the cooperative’s manufacturing into extended shelf life (ESL) and aseptic (UHT) products. He also diversified the company’s portfolio with the introduction of lactoferrin, and established CDI as an environmental leader through the “Golden State Advantage” initiative. Anderson’s dedication to CDI’s mission and member-owners has left an indelible mark on the cooperative.
“It’s impossible to overstate Brad’s impact on CDI,” said Cory Vanderham, Chairman of CDI’s Board of Directors. “For years, his visionary leadership, strategic acumen, and steady hand have guided CDI, building a culture of innovation and integrity. He didn’t just lead CDI, he built a legacy of excellence that will benefit our employees, customers, and member-owners for years to come. We are immensely grateful for his dedication and wish him all the best in his well-deserved retirement.”
“Leading CDI has been the privilege of my career,” said Anderson. “I am incredibly proud of what our team has accomplished together for our member-owners. We’ve built a strong foundation for the future, and I am confident that Rob is the right leader to continue that momentum. His deep industry knowledge and commitment to CDI’s values make him the perfect choice to lead the organization forward.”
Vandenheuvel, the new president and CEO, is an eight-year veteran of CDI, having previously served as chief operating officer. His appointment reflects the board’s commitment to strong internal leadership. Since joining CDI in 2017, Vandenheuvel has consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership across various areas, including member and industry relations, supply chain, operations, and sales. His prior experience as general manager at the Milk Producers Council, combined with his upbringing on a California dairy farm, has provided him with a valuable perspective while serving on CDI’s leadership team.
“Rob is the perfect leader to guide CDI into its next chapter,” Vanderham continued. “His deep understanding of our business, combined with his strategic vision and proven ability to execute, makes him the clear choice. The transition period since July has been exceptionally smooth, and the board has full confidence that Rob will continue to build on our success and drive sustainable growth.”
Anderson will support the transition in an advisory role to the executive leadership team through the end of the calendar year.
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