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.
