The Foremost Farms USA Board of Directors has announced that Greg Schlafer will join the dairy cooperative as president & chief executive officer on December 2, 2019. Schlafer assumes leadership of the company following the retirement of Michael Doyle. Schlafer brings more than 25 years of experience in the food industry and a proven track record of business and leadership success to his role at Foremost.

“This is a time of change and innovation at our cooperative. We are implementing strategies to maximize our members’ milk solids with a focus on profitability,” said David Scheevel, chairman of the Board. “We are thrilled to welcome Greg. He is a seasoned leader with outstanding business acumen. He brings a wealth of experience gained from a series of successful leadership roles at large food companies, including one with a dairy operation.

Schlafer most recently served as vice president, Food Group Sales & Marketing at J.R. Simplot Company where he transformed the front end of the food processor’s business. J.R. Simplot is a privately held agribusiness firm with products marketed in more than 40 countries. Prior to that, he was president of Lamb Weston, a division of ConAgra Foods, Inc. Schlafer lead the Lamb Weston business, including 22 potato processing plants in six countries and more than $3 billion in annual sales. Schlafer started his career at General Mills where he assumed roles of increasing responsibility including vice president & general manager, Bakeries & Foodservice Division.

“Foremost produces award-winning dairy products and it’s an honor to join the team,” said Schlafer. “The organization is a cooperative that exists to benefit the hard-working farm families who own it. I’m excited to help Foremost enable the business objectives of its member-owners while meeting customer needs.

Schlafer has served on several boards including the International Dairy, Deli & Bakery Association, and the North American Millers Association. He earned his MBA from UCLA’s Anderson School of Management and his undergraduate degree from the University of Minnesota.