MERIDIAN, IDAHO – Regional dairy promotion organization Dairy West announced it elected new members to its board of directors, while other key members were re-elected. Plus, the organization made new hires, as well.

Dairy West, which represents dairy farm families in Idaho and Utah, shared that Jeff Lund, owner of J3 Dairy, Wendell, Idaho, was elected from the organization’s District II in Idaho. Meanwhile, in its District II for Utah, Mitch Hancock of Noo Sun Dairy, Corrine, Utah, won the election.

Tom Kasper, owner of Melba, Idaho-based Kasper Dairy, was re-elected in Idaho District I. Kim Korn, owner of Terreton, Idaho-based Korn Dairy, earned re-election for the state’s District III. In Utah, Cedar Ridge Dairy owner Chace Fullmer (Sigurd, Utah), remains board chair and representative of Utah District III.

The organization said its elected representatives began their terms on July 1.

Dairy West also announced the appointment of Paxton Robinson, Acme Dairy, Oakley, Idaho, in the state’s District II to fill a midterm vacancy created by a board member’s retirement. The move will be ratified at an upcoming board meeting.

"Our board members are instrumental in helping us move forward with our mission,” said Karianne Fallow, Dairy West’s chief executive officer. “Each individual brings a unique set of skills and experiences to the table, and we are excited to welcome them.”

Additionally, Dairy West brought on Byron L. Pfordte as its new vice president, integrated communications, and Bryce Chambers as its director of industry relations. The organization shared that Pfordte possesses extensive leadership experience in areas such as communication, marketing and strategic thinking, while Chambers’ dairy expertise has been demonstrated through his prior work with Dairy Farmers of America and his ties to dairy farmers and processors in the region.

"We are thrilled to welcome Byron and Bryce to our team,” Fallow said. “Their combined expertise will contribute greatly to our continuous work to promote and support the dairy industry. They join us at an exciting time as we continue to innovate and grow.”