Dairy Farmers of America Finalize CEO Transition

Effective July 1, Dennis Rodenbaugh is President and Chief Executive Officer

At the recent Board of Directors meeting of Dairy Farmers of America (DFA), the Board completed the transition of Dennis Rodenbaugh taking the helm as president and chief executive officer, as Richard (Rick) P. Smith officially stepped down on June 30 after 16 years of service. Rodenbaugh joined DFA in 2007 and has held several leadership roles throughout the organization. Most recently, he held the title of executive vice president, council operations, and president, Ingredient Solutions.

“Thanks to the preparation of the Board, the conclusion of this transition is seamless in terms of our day-to-day business,” said Rodenbaugh. “I am excited about the future of our Cooperative. We are fully positioned with a great team and the talent in place to drive DFA forward to maximize value for our farmer-owners.” 

“DFA’s core focus will always be on marketing its members’ milk. As I work with my leadership team on strategic imperatives, a focus on investment, innovation, valuing our members and advocating for their ability to achieve their goals are just a few tenets of my vision for future success. Our farmer-ownership, alongside our infrastructure, offers the opportunity and motivation for us to position dairy as the sustainable source of nutrition to feed a global population.”

“I look forward to working with our farmer-leaders, members and DFA employees across the Cooperative to ensure we remain true to our purpose — delivering value to our family-farm owners and ensuring DFA is at the forefront of where our members need us and where consumers expect us —today and into the future.”

Dennis currently serves as president and CEO at Dairy Farmers of America. Since joining DFA in 2007, Dennis has served in a broad range of leadership roles, including vice president and chief operating officer of the Mideast,

Mountain and Western Areas. In recent years, he was named executive vice president of DFA and president of council operations and Ingredient Solutions, with responsibility for overseeing U.S. milk marketing and Farm Services, along with the 23 commercial manufacturing plants and marketing operations of DFA’s global Ingredient Solutions Division. He also serves as chairman of Newtrient, on the executive board of directors for National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF), on the executive committee and as a board member for International Dairy Foods Association, and on the boards for a number of other DFA fluid milk affiliates. Prior to joining DFA, Dennis had extensive background in banking and finance, as well as ownership and management of dairy farms and other agri-businesses.

Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) is a national, farmer-owned dairy cooperative focusing on quality, innovation and the future of family dairies. While supporting and serving more than 11,500 family farm-owners, DFA manufactures nearly every form, function and flavor of nutritional dairy products, including fluid milk, cheese, butter, ice cream, dairy ingredients and more that connect our Cooperative’s family farms to family tables with regional brands such as Alta Dena® Dairy, Meadow Gold® Dairy, Friendly®’s, Borden® Cheese, Plugrá® Premium Butter and Kemps® to name a few. On a global scale, we work with some of the world’s leading food companies to develop ingredients that deliver the greatest source of nutrition to consumers around the world, while staying committed to social responsibility and ethical farming. For more information, please visit dfamilk.com.