Syracuse, N.Y. – Three
local American Dairy Association North East dairy farmers and board members
were recently elected to serve on national dairy promotion boards – Marilyn
Hershey, Cochranville, Pennsylvania; Skip Hardie, Lansing, New York; and Audrey
Donahoe, Frankfort, New York.
“We’re pleased have our
local leaders take on these national roles,” said American Dairy Association
North East CEO Rick Naczi. “They’re all smart, progressive farmers that have a
long-range vision for the dairy industry locally, nationally and globally.”
Hershey, a Mid-Atlantic
Dairy Association board member, was elected as chair of the Dairy Management,
Inc. (DMI) board of directors that guides the DMI staff in checkoff planning
and decision-making. Her year-long term is effective immediately and she can be
re-elected multiple times.
“I look forward to representing my fellow dairy farmers in this role, and hope
to be a voice for them as we make important decisions that can affect all of
us,” said Hershey.
Skip
Hardie of Lansing, New York, was re-elected as DMI board secretary. Hardie is
also a member of the American Dairy Association and Dairy Council (ADADC) board
of directors and chair of the New York Promotion Advisory Board.
Together Hershey and Hardie will work
with vice-chair Steve Maddox, Riverdale, California, and treasurer Larry
Hancock, Muleshoe, Texas.
Audrey
Donahoe of Frankfort, New York, an ADADC board member, was named chair of
National Dairy Council (NDC) last fall. Funded through checkoff, the NDC
focuses on providing science-based education about nutrition and health
benefits of dairy foods. Her position falls under the United Dairy Industry
Association umbrella of which she is one of three second vice-chairs.