The Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board (WMMB) is focused on adding and developing top talent in 2017 to help ensure the long term prosperity that Wisconsin dairy farm families need and deserve. The new team members join WMMB from a variety of organizations and brands and bring industry knowledge, new perspective, and energy to help drive the WMMB mission.

Chad Vincent, appointed as CEO in December, 2016 came to WMMB with an extensive background in marketing, leadership and strategy development for companies—large and small. He led Sartori Cheese to record sales, ran a frozen food division at Heinz, was the president and chief branding officer for Finland-based Fiskars and served as president of Asia at Miller Brewing.

“Getting the right people in the right seats is critical to our success,” said Vincent. “I want to make sure that we have the best talent, and that every individual at WMMB is passionate about being a tireless advocate and promoter for Wisconsin’s dairy farmers.“

New 2017 WMMB staff hires since Vincent’s arrival include:

Christine Kuske Riese, director of channel marketing
Kuske Riese brings strong marketing and category management experience from companies such as Fiskars, Spectrum Brands, Jimmy Dean Foods and Maybelline. In this role, she will oversee marketing efforts for several of WMMB’s retail programs.

Rich Mende, director of channel programs
With over 20 years of experience in retail sales management, Mende will provide leadership and supervision to WMMB’s team of regional marketing managers, and oversee the development and implementation of consumer, retail cheese and dairy promotional programs.

Suzanne Fanning, vice president of marketing communications
Fanning has led marketing communications for several global brands and is the immediate past president of the Word of Mouth Marketing Association (WOMMA). Her role at WMMB encompasses public relations, web, digital, education, social media, branding and influencer engagement.

Ben Kroeplin, digital content manager
Kroeplin joins WMMB with more than a decade of experience in marketing, communications and broadcast journalism. As digital content manager, Kroeplin will develop strategy for the organization’s digital marketing campaigns.

Lizzy Schultz, social media specialist
Schultz joins WMMB as social media specialist and will provide support on a wide variety of digital media projects and help maintain digital assets for WMMB’s key social media channels – Wisconsin Cheese and America’s Dairyland.

Lizzie Duffey, public relations specialist
Duffey will provide media relations support and assist in the development and execution of consumer promotions and events. Prior to joining WMMB, Duffey was a brand spokesperson and pilot of the iconic Oscar Mayer Wienermobile. 

Internal promotions include:

Jen Walsh, vice president of insights and strategy
Formerly the director of market research, Walsh was promoted to Vice President of Insights and Strategy at WMMB. In this new role, Walsh will manage WMMB’s research team and help lead the organization’s strategy and planning process. 

Rachel Kerr, director of events and public relations
As the former public relations manager, Kerr’s role with WMMB has expanded to include oversight of tours, tradeshows, and consumer events and sponsorships, in addition to day-to-day management of WMMB’s ongoing public relations efforts.