Rick Eggebrecht, Erin Marotz join CPDA board of directors

The Central Plains Dairy Association (CPDA) welcomed two new board members – Rick Eggebrecht and Erin Marotz – to its June 24 board of directors meeting, held at Valley Queen Cheese in Milbank, S.D. Allen Schlenker, Marsh and McLennan Agency risk management consultant, and Kris Bousquet, Nebraska State Dairy Association (NSDA) executive director, completed their CPDA board terms – each serving for six years.

“Both Al and Kris epitomize the term ‘great leader’,” stated Kristy Mach, CPDA executive director. “They both gave generously of their time and talents, and passionately worked to foster successful Central Plains Dairy Expos.”

Erin Marotz, Wahoo, Neb., grew up on a dairy in Northeast Nebraska and has managed the University of Nebraska Dairy research unit since 1993. The Marotz family operates En-Mar Holsteins, which is a small herd of show animals that the family exhibits across the country. Additionally, he works part time as a sales rep for TLAY dairy video sales. The company markets dairy replacements through monthly internet and private treaty sales. Marotz has served as a board member for both NSDA and the Nebraska Holstein Association.

Rick Eggebrecht, Sioux Falls, S.D., holds more than 20 years of experience in the areas of large-scale project development, sales, new product market development, business unit management and community and government negotiations. The vice president of market and project development for Novita Nutrition, LLC, Eggebrecht, has successfully launched specialty product sales in markets across the United States and Canada. He developed distribution and reseller channels for all new markets, and directly managed their growth.

During the CPDA board meeting, the directors reorganized and elected the following members.

•       President Tom Walsh, Riverview Dairy

•       Vice President Evan Grong, Valley Queen Cheese Factory,

•       Secretary/Treasurer Kari Jungemann, Lazy J Dairy LLC

•       VP Dairy Industry Michael Reecy, Farm Credit Services of America

•       Stacie De Groot, Gorter’s Clay & Dairy Equipment Inc.

•       Rick Eggebrecht, Novita Nutrition, LLC

•       Jennifer Landman, Linde Dairy, LLC

•       Erin Marotz, En-Mar Holsteins & TLAY Dairy Video Sales

•       Aaron Titterington, Jones Dairy

•       Barry Visser, Vita Plus

“The CPDA board of directors is a highly professional board with dairy industry views from producers, processors and industry collaborators,” stated Renee Brod, CPDA member services director. “They are very engaged, collaborative and dedicated to see dairy in the Central Plains grow and be successful.”

Following the CPDA board meeting, CPDA Vice President Evan Grong provided tours of the newly expanded Valley Queen Cheese processing plant in Milbank, S.D. The tour concluded at the Valley Queen Heritage Center and Cheese Shop. “If your travels take you through Milbank, be sure to stop in and take in Valley Queen’s Swiss heritage and the delightful interactive experience for the entire family,” said Brod.

For more information about CPDE, visit www.centralplainsdairy.com.