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New DMI CEO outlines priorities

The new CEO of the nation’s dairy checkoff says she plans to start the role with a listening tour to better understand the challenges and needs of the industry.

Dairy Management Inc’s Barbara O’Brien, on a recent call with ag reporters, outlined some of her goals including stronger integration of dairy checkoff organizations, transparent communication, and becoming more efficient to maximize farmer dollars.

“I’m going to build on the relationships I have, I’m going to meet a lot of new farmers which I’m really looking forward to,” she says.  “Their voice matters and they need to own this program.”

O’Brien has been working for the organization which oversees the dairy checkoff since 2000.  She tells Brownfield exports will play an incredibly important and deliberate role in their plan moving forward.

“I do anticipate a growing investment in exports and we’ll make those decisions together as we go to the DMI board,” she explains.

O’Brien was unanimously selected as CEO after Tom Gallagher retired from the position.