Jon, what experiences have prepared you for your role as CEO of Maola?
“My career has been shaped by farmer-owned cooperatives. In previous jobs I focused on financial planning, governance, and accounting, but I think the most valuable experience came from working closely with Boards of Directors, our farmer-owners. That hands-on experience gave me an inside look at how cooperatives operate, from elections to governance, and taught me the critical importance of transparency and fairness with the farmers who own us.
When I joined Maola in 2018 I was immediately struck by the dedication and passion of our dairy farmers and employees. Our farmers work tirelessly every day, rain or shine, to provide families with high-quality, nutritious milk. At the same time, our employees across departments bring expertise and a shared commitment to Maola’s mission. Their hard work is central to our success, and they inspire me every day to make sure we’re providing the support they need to thrive.”
What excites you most about Maola’s future?
“The potential for growth while staying true to our cooperative roots. As a smaller cooperative, we’re uniquely positioned to stay closely connected to our communities and agile enough to take advantage of new opportunities. Our new strategic plan reflects this balance perfectly, bringing us together with clear, actionable goals—such as improving profitability and sustainability—so we can build a stronger future together.”
Can you tell us more about this strategic plan?
“One of my first priorities as CEO is leading the RISE strategy, a comprehensive plan designed to guide Maola’s growth through 2029. I believe we all perform better when we have a clear goal in front of us, and RISE provides exactly that—a focused, data-driven roadmap that connects us all to shared success. It’s not just about financial targets, though those are important. It’s about ensuring Maola’s long-term health, staying true to our mission, and working together to strengthen our cooperative.”
Sustainability is a core value at Maola. How does the cooperative plan to lead in this area?
“Sustainability is woven into everything we do. We’ve adopted the U.S. Dairy Stewardship Commitment through the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy, which includes ambitious goals around water optimization and greenhouse gas neutrality. Beyond that, we’re taking concrete actions to drive environmental efficiency and support farmer-led sustainability projects. We don’t just aim to meet expectations—we want to lead the charge in making our industry more sustainable, and it’s a key differentiator for Maola.”
What challenges do you see in the dairy industry, and how will Maola respond?
“The dairy industry faces several challenges, from global market changes to local pressures on family farms. There’s also growing concern about the future of farmland as more farmers face pressure to sell. At Maola, we’re committed to helping our farmers thrive through innovative programs and partnerships—like those with Starbucks or the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay. As we continue to grow, it’s essential that we preserve our cooperative identity and remain rooted in the communities we serve.”
Your cooperative has grown tremendously over the last few years despite the historical decline in milk consumption. Do you have anything exciting on deck for 2025?
Sustainability, quality, and customer service have been drivers in our consumer products sales success. With the addition of our ultra-pasteurized plant in Philadelphia last year, we’re able to offer a full portfolio of milk products which meet the needs of our customers (retail, convenience stores, institutions and more). As Maola is now produced in your traditional HTST formats as well as ultra-pasteurized, our product mix isn’t an either-or situation, it’s a yes-and. We will continue to rollout out new products in 2025 that respond to changing consumer demand for things like lower sugar and fewer added ingredients. We want every shopping cart in the Mid-Atlantic to have a reserved spot for Maola.
What motivates you as a leader?
“For me, leadership is about empowering people. There’s nothing more rewarding than seeing someone overcome a challenge and exceed their own expectations. Watching people succeed and grow is what keeps me going. My job as CEO is to create the right environment, provide support, and give our team the tools they need to excel. The passion and energy our employees bring to the table are contagious, and it’s that enthusiasm that motivates me to keep pushing forward.”
Maola is entering an exciting new chapter under Jon Cowell’s leadership, with an unwavering commitment to growth, sustainability, and community. The future is bright, and we’re looking forward to what’s to come!
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