The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) announced today that Chief Operating Officer Jim Mulhern will take over as President & Chief Executive Officer on January 1, 2014. Mulhern has been appointed by the NMPF Board of Directors to fill the position held by Jerry Kozak since 1997. Earlier this year, Kozak had informed the Board of his desire to retire at the end of this year.

“We are very excited to have such a knowledgeable and capable leader at the head of our team in the coming years. The importance of experience cannot be underestimated in a complex industry like ours,” said NMPF Chairman Randy Mooney, a dairy producer from Rogersville, MO.

Mulhern joined NMPF in January 2013, and since that time has managed the communications, government relations, and membership functions of the organization. His appointment as COO marked a return to NMPF as he had directed the organization’s government relations program earlier in his career.

“I sincerely appreciate the opportunity to lead a membership organization that has meant so much to me throughout my career. I look forward to building further upon the relationships and successes of the past, but with a clear focus on addressing the challenges to dairy farming’s future,” said Mulhern.