The Center for Dairy Excellence is requesting nominations for dairy farmers to fill open board positions from the Southeast, Central and Northeast Regions of Pennsylvania. Board members must agree to serve a three-year term on the board and may be re-elected for an additional term.
These positions will be vacated by: Erick Coolidge, Wellsboro, Pa.; Jennifer Heltzel, Martinsburg, Pa.; and Timothy Kurtz, Elverson, Pa. These members have reached the two-consecutive term maximum set by the organization’s bylaws.
“Both the Center’s Board of Directors and staff have greatly appreciated the leadership and input Erick, Jennifer and Tim have provided to our organization and to the Pennsylvania dairy industry over the past six years,” said Jayne Sebright, executive director of the Center for Dairy Excellence. “We are seeking nominations of dairy producers who are passionate about the future of our industry and who want to have input in shaping its direction to fill their seats.”
The center is a non-profit organization which empowers people, creates industry partnerships and coordinates the resources to grow dairy profitability in Pennsylvania. The 16-member Board of Directors is responsible for guiding the work of the Center for Dairy Excellence and shaping its vision for Pennsylvania’s dairy industry.
The board was developed to represent various aspects of the dairy industry, with seats for dairy farmers, allied industry professionals, marketing cooperative employees, retail representatives, processor representatives, and members from the Pennsylvania General Assembly. There are also representatives from the Pennsylvania Dairymen’s Association, Penn State Cooperative Extension, the Professional Dairy Managers of Pennsylvania and the current Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture.
Those selected to the center’s Board of Directors may be asked to serve on a committee. The board meets four times a year, with committee meetings once or twice a year. Board members are elected by the current Board of Directors during the annual board meeting, scheduled for December 6, 2017.
To nominate an individual to represent each of the Southeast, Central and Northeast Regions, please send the person’s name, contact information and a one-paragraph statement about his or her background to Jayne Sebright, executive director, via email at jsebright@centerfordairyexcellence.org or fax to 717-705-2342. Nominations may also be submitted by mail to Center for Dairy Excellence, Attn: Jayne Sebright, 2301 N Cameron Street, Harrisburg, PA 17110.
All nominations should be received by the Center for Dairy Excellence no later than September 15, 2017.
The Center for Dairy Excellence is a non-profit organization initiated by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture in 2004. Bringing together people from more than 40 different dairy organizations in Pennsylvania, the center’s mission is to enhance the profitability of the dairy industry by empowering people, creating partnerships, and increasing the availability and use of resources. Learn more at centerfordairyexcellence.org.
