OperationsCheese

Heiman re-elected as WCMA president

Kim Heiman of Nasonville Dairy has been re-elected to serve as president of the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association (WCMA) in fiscal year 2026-27. Heiman will lead an executive team that also includes Mat Bartkowiak of Nelson-Jameson as first vice president, Mindy Berrey of Land O’Lakes as second vice president, Betsy Erdelyi of BMO as treasurer, and Chris Roelli of Roelli Cheese returning as secretary.

Four industry leaders were selected to join the WCMA Board of Directors in elections held this spring. Greg Anderson of Kroger Company/Pace Dairy, Scott Meister of Meister Cheese, Victor Vazquez of Glanbia, and Mike Walpole of Brewster Cheese will begin their terms on the Board July 1.

Returning to WCMA’s 27-member Board are:

Greg Alberts of Kelley Supply;
Gustavo Badino of BelGioioso Cheese;
Luke Buholzer of Klondike Cheese;
Steve Doyle of Sartori Co.;
Jenny Drake of Grande Cheese;
Tony Eafanti of Leprino Foods;
Kurt Epprecht of Great Lakes Cheese;
Mark Federico of Narragansett Creamery;
Kerry Henning of Henning Cheese;
Kyle Jensen of Hilmar Cheese;
Gloria Joseph of Organic Valley/CROPP Cooperative;
Jon Metzig of Union Star Cheese Factory;
Orphee Paillotin of Alpinage Cheese;
Kevin Pieh of Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery;
Declan Roche of Foremost Farms USA;
Doug Simon of Cheese Merchants;
Steve Stettler of Decatur Dairy; and
Matt Winsand of Burnett Dairy Cooperative.

“We’re pleased to welcome this new group of leaders to WCMA’s Board, whose perspectives will help shape the future of the Association and the dairy processing industry,” said WCMA Executive Director John Umhoefer. “We also offer our sincere appreciation to those concluding their Board service. Their leadership has fueled significant membership growth and expanded the value of WCMA services.”

Outgoing directors on the Board this year include Jeff Gentine of Masters Gallery Foods, Richard Guggisberg of Guggisberg Cheese, Wilf Costello with Glanbia, and Bruce Workman of Edelweiss Creamery.