ROSEMONT, ILL. — The Innovation Center for US Dairy elected Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) president and chief executive officer Dennis Rodenbaugh as the chair for its board of directors during the center’s first meeting of 2025.

Rodenbaugh replaced recently retired Leprino president and CEO Mike Durkin, who spent the past two years as board chair for the Innovation Center.

DFA’s lead executive since June 2022, Rodenbaugh’s previous experience also includes working as executive vice president and president of cooperative operations for DFA, as well as serving as vice chairman for the Innovation Center board.

Other newly elected officers for the Innovation Center board are:

• Vice chair: Brad Anderson, California Dairies Inc.

• Treasurer: Sheryl Meshke, Associated Milk Producers Inc.

• Secretary: Ron Dunford, Schreiber Foods

• At-large: Heather Anfang, Land O’ Lakes

• At-large: Joe Diglio, Michigan Milk Producers Association

Barbara O’Brien, president and CEO for Dairy Management Inc. and the Innovation Center, said US dairy entered 2025 in a position of strength, and thanked Durkin for his contributions to the center and industry.

“As we navigate a dynamic landscape filled with both challenges and opportunities, we are fortunate to have Dennis Rodenbaugh lend his deep industry experience and relationships in the chair role,” O’Brien said. “We look forward to his leadership and to building on the Innovation Center’s strong momentum as a catalyst for industry-wide collaboration and progress.”