Midwest Dairy Association has announced an “organizational realignment” to enable the checkoff organization to better meet the needs of the dairy industry in the Midwest.
Under the new structure, Chuck Cruickshank has been named to serve as the new Senior Vice President of Industry Relations to the staff. The Industry Image and Relations program will be realigned into two program areas, including Industry Relations and the newly-created Integrated Communications. Cruickshank, who brings more than 35 years of agricultural experience and was most recently with Dairy Management Inc., will be responsible for the organization’s producer and board relations strategies as well as implementing industry relations activities in Minnesota and acting as the lead relationship manager for a number of Midwest co-ops and other cheese and ingredient processors.
The Integrated Communications team, which will primarily be responsible for inspiring consumer confidence in dairy products and practices, will be led by Senior Vice President Donna Moenning, who brings with her 25 years of agricultural and communications experience, including five with Midwest Dairy.
In other changes, the organization has merged the Nutrition Affairs and School Nutrition programs to become the Health and Wellness Team led by Senior Vice President and registered dietitian Molly Pelzer, who has more than 26 years with the organization. Brenda Goldman, who joined the organization in March, has become the Vice President of Human Resources and Planning and will facilitate the strategic planning process. The Marketing Team will continue to be managed by Senior Vice President Kevin Stiles and Mike Kruger, who has been with Midwest Dairy for 25 years, remains as CEO.
Midwest Dairy represents more than 11,000 dairy producers, about 20 percent of all U.S. dairy operations. Midwest Dairy programs reach nearly 35 million consumers through marketing, promotion, nutrition education programs and public relations campaigns. Offices are located in St. Paul, Minnesota; Ankeny, Iowa; and Overland Park, Kansas.