BARABOO, Wisc., June 7, 2022 – Foremost Farms USA, a dairy cooperative and world-class supplier of cheese, dairy products and ingredients with annual sales of $1.7 billion to national and international markets, is pleased to announce its new board leadership.
The Board welcomes Rick Burkhamer, Richland Center, Wisc., as Foremost Farms’ new Chairman of the Board. Burkhamer most recently served as the cooperative’s Secretary of the Board for nearly 10 years and started his service as a board member in 1991 for Wisconsin Dairies before the merger with Golden Guernsey Dairy that resulted in Foremost Farms. Other board officers are First Vice Chairman Roger Hildebrandt, Hustisford, Wisc.; Second Vice Chairman Roger Hibschman, Syracuse, Ind.; Secretary Stacy VanDerLinden, Athens, Wisc.; and Assistant Secretary/Treasurer Joel Eigenbrood, St. Louis, Mich. and Independent Director John Machuzick, San Clemente, Calif.
“We are pleased to announce a board leader with Rick’s experience and dedication to Foremost Farms,” said Greg Schlafer, President and CEO of Foremost Farms. “Rick has a deep understanding and appreciation of the relationship between the member-owners and the talented team of employees who manage and run the cooperative for them.”
Burkhamer’s goal is to ensure the positive momentum the cooperative has been experiencing in the past two years continues. “The board needs to have one voice and get behind Greg and his staff and all the employees because they all deserve our support. The top concern of the Board has to be caring about them and helping them all. They’re the ones who are taking care of all of us.” Burkhamer assumed his new role in May 2022.
Foremost Farms would also like to recognize and thank outgoing Chairman of the Board Dave Scheevel of Preston, Minn. for his dedication and service to the cooperative. Scheevel has been a member of the Foremost Farms Board for nearly 25 years, including the past 14 years as its chairman.
About Foremost Farms USA
Foremost Farms USA® is a world-class supplier of cheese, dairy products, and ingredients to national and international markets. It offers innovative solutions, technical services and customized products, ingredients and packaging for foodservice, food processing, distributor and pharmaceutical customers. As a dairy cooperative, it is owned by approximately 1,000 dairy farmers located in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin. Foremost Farms’ flexible, diverse plant network allows it to
manufacture the products and ingredients that are most in demand and provide a strong, secure market for the member-owners’ milk. For more information call 800-362-9196 or see foremostfarms.com.