David Riemersma, Butterball Farms, Grand Rapids, MI, was elected to serve as First Vice President and Irv Holmes, Challenge Dairy Products, Inc., Dublin, CA, was elected Second Vice President. Each position serves a two-year term. ABI Board members also elected Tom Johnson, President of National Dairy Brands, Houston, TX, as their new Board representative.

President Korsmeyer stated that his goal as President over the next two years will be “to change the Institute’s ability to drive communications to members and the dairy industry, all with a goal of increasing consumption of high quality butter products.”

In addition to officer elections, ABI Board members conducted several other items of business at the meeting, and welcomed a presentation by keynote speaker, Dr. Terry Barr of CoBank. Dr. Barr provided a Global Perspective on the Economy and Agriculture and explored how to turn a risk into opportunity. ABI’s Board also reviewed and approved their budget for 2011, received an update on the National Butter Promotion Programming for the fourth quarter, got an update on economic & market outlook, reviewed regulatory issues and got a Washington Update.

Jerry Kozak, Executive Director of ABI, noted that the meeting was well attended and provided an opportunity for members to learn more about where the industry is heading in the domestic market as well as in the global marketplace.