The information below has been supplied by dairy marketers and other industry organizations. It has not been edited, verified or endorsed by Hoard’s Dairyman.

James Robson, the long-time CEO of the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board, announced his resignation, effective immediately at the Board's meeting held Thursday.

WMMB Board Chair Connie Seefeldt said the board appreciates the work Robson has accomplished as CEO for WMMB over the past 15 years.

"James made a remarkable contribution to the revitalization of the Wisconsin dairy brand and made significant improvements to WMMB programming since joining the organization in January of 2001," Seefeldt said.

Robson, a native of Galveston, Texas, holds an MBA in management and came to WMMB from TRG Consulting of Katy, Texas, a company which worked with dairies, food processors, wholesalers and retailers in strategic planning, new product development, promotions and sales training. He is a former vice president of sales, marketing and transportation for Darigold, Inc. of Seattle, WA, the largest dairy cooperative in the Pacific Northwest. He also has marketing management experience with Morningstar Foods, The Southland Corporation Dairy Group, Frito-Lay, Inc. and Lipton, as well as serving on the boards of directors of both state and national dairy marketing and promotion organizations.

Moving forward, the Board hopes to expand upon the work Robson has done by refining the board's strategic vision and enhancing the message about the use of technology in the dairy industry.

The Board will immediately initiate a search for a new CEO. Chief Financial Officer Jessica Rogers-Heintz, a 25-year employee of WMMB, will serve as interim CEO until a permanent chief executive officer is named.

The Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board is a nonprofit organization of Wisconsin dairy producers that promotes the consumption of milk, cheese and other dairy products made in America's Dairyland.

Return to Industry Buzz.


4.26.2016