FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative announced today the resignation of its general manager, David Cooper, from the organization to be effective December 31st, 2017. A true, dedicated professional to all dairy farmers and industry professionals, his resignation marks a new chapter to refocus on his family.
“The Board cannot thank David enough for his years of service and immense dedication to the cooperative and the dairy industry as a whole. He has put in countless hours, pouring over Farm Bill and dairy policy legislation, doing everything he could to help support Midwest dairy farmers. The cooperative will certainly miss him, but we wish him and his family the very best,” said John Rettler, FarmFirst board president.
“David is leaving a legacy behind at FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative, a story of success of bringing together three different cooperatives for the greater good and benefit to its cooperative members,” said Peter Kleiman, FarmFirst board vice-president. “He represents a man full of honest and ethical integrity, and that was evident in his leadership across the cooperative; from representing dairy farmers in Washington, D.C. to visiting with members on the farm.”
“There has been nothing more rewarding than serving the dairy farmers that I have come to know while serving as general manager. I am grateful to have met and known so many wonderful people during my time with the cooperative. Thank you to my colleagues over the years for their support and partnership towards common goals. I wish FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative much success in the years ahead, and will do what I can to serve as a resource,” said David Cooper.
David Cooper has been serving the cooperative and its members since 2006, originally as general manager of Family Dairies USA, then as assistant general manager for FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative during 2013, and finally the past four years as the general manager for FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative.
Cooper will remain as an employee through December 31st.
“FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative remains committed to its members and industry partners, especially in the cooperative’s continued effort to serve as a voice for all dairy farmers,” said President Rettler. “As we seek to fill this position of general manager, cooperative leadership will ensure that membership programs and services continue as they were before, in addition to considerations to evolve membership programs.”
FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative was established in 2013 and is based in Madison, Wis. The cooperative represents farms in Wisconsin, Minnesota, South Dakota, Michigan, Iowa, Illinois and Indiana through policy bargaining, dairy marketing services, laboratory testing opportunities and industry promotion.
