JEROME, IDAHO – Idaho Milk Products announced it promoted Venkateswarlu (Venkat) Sunkesula to vice president of research and product development, and hired Kevin Quinn as the company’s vice president of sales and marketing.

Sunkesula has been with Idaho Milk Products since 2019. Prior to his time with the company, he worked close to 20 years in managerial roles in the dairy, candy and brewing industries. He earned a Ph.D. in dairy manufacturing at South Dakota State University.

Daragh Maccabee, chief executive officer at Idaho Milk Products, said Sunkesula joined the company during a critical juncture for its Milk Innovation Center (MIC) and credited him with making a significant contribution.

“Taking on the leadership role was a natural progression,” Maccabee said. “His academic qualifications and extensive experience combined with his personal qualities will allow him to build on the outstanding legacy of his predecessor and, together with the R&D team, bring the MIC to new levels of excellence.”

Said Sunkesula: “It has been a pleasure to learn and grow in a people-focused organization and working with leadership that walks the company values. I am grateful to Idaho Milk Products for recognizing my contributions with this promotion. I look forward to continuing working with the excellent people, process and plant to play an even more significant role in the business growth.”

Quinn comes to the company with 30 years of food industry experience, including sales, marketing and finance roles with Nestle, Sara Lee, White Wave, Leprino Foods and Darigold, where he was vice president of global accounts. He earned his degree from the University of Colorado.

Maccabee said: “His vast experience and the depth of his relationships with existing and potentially new commercial partners represent an important and valuable addition to the team at a pivotal moment for our organization. I am excited at the prospect of working with Kevin in the ongoing pursuit of our purpose, ‘Bringing value to milk for generations.’”

Quinn said he was excited to join the company.

“The professionalism with which this team operates and the attention to quality at all levels will allow for new growth in global markets,” he said. “The production of MPC (Milk Protein Concentrate), MPI (Milk Protein Isolate) and MPP (Milk Permeate Powder) is at a level that meets the spec needs of global customers, and the effort to continue thriving on sustainability at farm and factory put Idaho Milk Products ahead of the curve.”