Former employee Paul Martin will return to Western United Dairymen (WUD) to serve as interim CEO as the California-based trade organization continues its search for a permanent leader.
“The board of directors and the entire staff is truly excited to welcome Paul back to our team,” said WUD president Tom Barcellos. “He’s a familiar face to our members, and is more than capable of leading our organization. We couldn’t be happier to have Paul take the reins during this transition.”
Martin will fill in the spot vacated by longtime CEO Michael Marsh, who departed from WUD in late December. Marsh had been CEO for the past 15 years.
Martin retired from WUD in 2012 after serving as the long-time director of environmental services. An expert in environmental issues and the California dairy industry, Martin is well regarded both domestically and internationally for his work on air and water quality issues. Over the course of his tenure, he also built strong relationships with federal and state agencies which is vital to WUD’s progress on issues important to the dairy industry and the WUD membership.
Martin graduated from UC Davis with a degree in agriculture economics and went on to earn his MA in environmental studies from Sonoma State. He is also a graduate of the California Agricultural Leadership Program.
Based in Modesto, Calif., WUD is a voluntary membership organization representing more than 60% of the milk produced in California on labor law, environmental regulations and pricing issues. Members decide the direction of state and federal legislative efforts affecting the dairy industry.