Clay A. Detlefsen, an attorney and long-time industry specialist in dairy regulation and policy issues, will join the National Milk Producers Federation as senior vice president for regulatory and environmental affairs, the organization announced today. Detlefsen, who worked for the International Dairy Foods Association for a quarter-century, will also focus on legal issues as NMPF’s staff counsel after he starts on Aug. 18.

NMPF President and Chief Executive Officer Jim Mulhern praised Detlefsen for his knowledge of issues including FDA inspections, food safety and defense, workplace safety and, in particular, sustainability and the environment.

“Clay is already recognized as a trusted voice on many issues facing our industry,” Mulhern said. “He will enhance our existing resources on many fronts, and, most important, his addition will enable us to increase our focus on the environmental challenges and opportunities that dairy farmers and their cooperatives are facing.”

Detlefsen will be working with NMPF’s existing regulatory staff, including Vice President of Sustainability and Scientific Affairs, Jamie Jonker; Vice President of Dairy Foods & Nutrition, Beth Briczinski; and Vice President of Animal Care, Betsy Flores.

Detlefsen joined IDFA, which represents dairy processing companies, in 1990. He was named vice president for regulatory affairs in 2002. In addition to leading the organization’s work on sustainability and environmental issues for the last several years, Detlefsen has been deeply involved in the dairy industry’s work on the landmark Food Safety Modernization Act, the most sweeping reform of food safety laws in more than 70 years — much of that in conjunction with NMPF. Since 2001, Detlefsen also has been a leading food industry adviser on protecting the safety and security of food processing plants and distribution systems from intentional adulteration and terrorism.