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.
Agri-Mark’s Board of Directors met last week for their annual reorganization meeting. The Board elected an Executive Committee to lead the cooperative for the coming year and appointed advisory directors to each serve a one-year term on the Board of Directors.
James “Cricket” Jacquier of Laurelbrook Farm, in East Canaan, Connecticut, was reelected as Chair. Jacquier has been on the cooperative’s Board since 2011 and has served as Chair since 2020.
Clara Ayer from Fairmont Farms, in East Montpelier, Vermont, steps into a new leadership role as Vice Chair. She replaces Blake Gendebien who previously served as Vice Chair and who has recently stepped down from the Board of Directors.
For the past two years, Ayer served as the fifth Executive Committee member. She has been on the Agri-Mark Board of Directors since 2022.
The Board reelected Eugene Audet as Treasurer. Audet operates Blue Spruce Farm in Bridport, Vermont with his family. He has been on the Board of Directors since 2018 and this will mark his second term as Treasurer.
In addition, the Board reelected Brian Lynch from Lyndale Farm in Antwerp, New York, to serve as Secretary. Lynch has been on the Agri-Mark Board for eight years and this is his fourth term as Secretary.
Walt Gladstone of Newmont Farm in Bradford, Vermont was elected to the fifth Executive Committee Member role. Gladstone replaces Clara Ayer who previously served in that position and is the newly elected Vice Chair. Gladstone has been on the Board of Directors for three years. This marks his first leadership role on the Board.
The Board appointed Bill Lipinski of Hampden, Massachusetts, and Pat Muldoon of Lakeway, Texas, to serve as advisory directors. The appointments are for one-year. This is Lipinski’s fourth term and Muldoon’s second term as Advisory Directors.
“We have an exceptional team of talented and dedicated farmers on our Board of Directors,” said Agri-Mark’s Board Chair Cricket Jacquier. “I am eager to work with my fellow Executive Committee members and with the guidance of our Advisory Directors as we drive forward with energy and purpose. Together, we are committed to accelerating our strategic initiatives and championing the success of our cooperative and fellow Agri-Mark farmers.”
The cooperative’s Board of Directors is comprised of 14 farmer-owners elected by their peers to represent a region of members. Director terms are for three years, and new directors are seated each January. Agri-Mark’s bylaws provide for up to two Advisory Director roles that serve at the pleasure of the Board. These Advisory Director roles are non-members and provide guidance and subject-matter expertise to the Board of Directors.
Agri-Mark is a dairy cooperative and certified B-Corp that’s owned by hundreds of farm families throughout New England and Upstate New York. Their farmers produce high quality milk, which is crafted into award-winning products like Cabot Creamery’s cheddar, butter, Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, sour cream and New York’s finest cheese brand, McCadam. In addition, Agri-Mark produces whey and milk protein products that are distributed globally. To learn more, visit www.agrimark.coop.
