Dairy Farmers of America CEO and leadership

Rick Smith is a Board Member at Dairy Farmers of America, Chair at Global Dairy Platform, and President and Chief Executive Officer at Dairy Farmers of America.

Brad Keating is a SVP and Chief Operating Officer, Northeast Area at Dairy Farmers of America.

Jeff Hurley is a Vice President Information Technology at Dairy Farmers of America and CIO at Dairy Farmers of America and is based in Kansas City, Kansas. He has worked as IT Consultant at WHITEWAVE FOODS CO; Regional CIO, Dean Northeast, LLC at DEAN FOODS CO; and Computer Operator at DEAN FOODS CO. Jeff studied at Rhode Island College between 1988 and 1997.

Senior leader with a track record of working with broad constituents to achieve business goals. Reputation for strong work ethic, diligence and commitment to goals has led to opportunities, and successes, in a wide range of business areas.

Sustainability, Economic Analysis, Public Policy Development, Business Development & Expansion, Web Services Development, Corporate & Shareholder Communications, Media Relations, Crisis Management, Strategic Planning, Transportation Optimization, CPG Strategy Development, Environmental Benchmarking, Carbon Footprinting, Food Miles, Customer Relations, Continuous Improvement Processes, Employee Learning & Development

Ed is responsible for Commercial Operations, Branded Beverage Sales, Transportation and is the COO for the Beverage and Dairy Food Division of Dairy Farmers of America, Inc. He began his dairy cooperative career in 1986 with Associated Milk Producers, Inc. in Tulsa, Okla. He joined Mid-America Dairymen, Inc. in 1991 and has held several positions prior to becoming Dairy Farmers of America, Inc. Sr VP and COO in 2014. Ed has spent his entire career in the dairy industry and has worked with leading food, beverage and pharmaceutical companies to drive innovation and profitable growth. Ed is a hands-on leader with a high energy level, work ethic, and strong leadership skills. He is also flexible, collaborative, and puts the company shareholders, customers, and team before personal gain. Ed's key interpersonal and leadership skills:  A field-oriented mindset and hands-on orientation, including the ability to relate to a wide variety of people. Ed is as comfortable out in the field or factory floor as he is in the boardroom;  Welcomes and accepts personal responsibility. Also works well as a member of a collaborative senior executive team;  Excellent listening, verbal and written communication;  Able to delegate responsibility and hold people accountable for results;  Plays by the rules but also demonstrates intellectual curiosity and a willingness to explore and challenge the status quo;  Works well in a team and can function effectively in a lean environment;  A high degree of energy, creativity and “can do” attitude;  Personal style to interface effectively with senior level customers, corporate leadership, and the company’s board;  Takes a long-term view when making decisions. More interested in building a long-term, sustainable enterprise than in delivering short-term results.

Kevin Strathman is a Chief Financial Officer at Dairy Farmers of America.