The terms of office for 12 members of the National Dairy Promotion and Research Board (Board) will expire on October 31, 2025. Additionally, there is one vacancy in Region 4 for a term expiring October 31, 2026. Nominations for the expiring positions are being solicited. Enclosed is a Notice to Trade requesting dairy producer organizations and other interested parties to nominate candidates for the Board. Five members will be appointed to Region 2, two members will be appointed to Region 4 and one member will be appointed to each of the remaining regions. Nominees should be willing to give about 25 days per year of their time to attend scheduled Board meetings (both in-person and virtual) and other related functions. All nominees must be in good standing with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Members whose terms expire October 31, 2025, are:
Region 2* Justin F. Leyendekker, California
Region 2 Jennifer J. De Boer, California
Region 2 Rebecca A. Nyman, California
Region 2 Roger Fluegel, California
Region 2 Ted A. Pedrozo, California
Region 3 David C. Roberts, Utah
Region 4 Tara M. Vander Dussen, New Mexico
Region 6 Gail G. Klinkner, Wisconsin
Region 9* James W. Reid, Michigan
Region 10* Joanna B. Shipp, Virginia
Region 11 Laura Lesher, Pennsylvania
Region 12 Valerie A. Lavigne, New York
*Members not eligible for re-nomination.
Dairy Producer Nomination Information
You may nominate a dairy producer(s) for each of the 12 expiring positions in each of the regions where your organization conducts business. The person(s) nominated must produce milk in the region for which they are nominated.
If there is more than one organization representing producers in a specific region, they may caucus and jointly nominate a producer(s) for each position representing that region on the Board for which a member is to be appointed. If a caucus is held, the caucus chairperson should prepare and submit a separate nomination form for each nominee on behalf of the caucus. It is not necessary for each organization participating in the caucus to submit nominations if it agrees with the caucus. If nominations are submitted as a result of a caucus, we encourage the nomination of more than one producer for each position on the Board. If joint agreement is not reached with respect to any such nominations, or if a caucus is not held, each eligible organization should submit to the Secretary a nomination for each appointment to be made to represent that region. If you wish to nominate a dairy producer, please submit a completed and signed copy of the enclosed nomination and background information forms for each nominee by August 18, 2025, to: Email: jill.hoover@usda.gov
