Global Dairy Platform Announces New Board Chairman and Operational Committee Chair

ROSEMONT, IL--(Marketwired - Apr 13, 2015) - Global Dairy Platform (GDP) announced today the appointment of Rick Smith, Chief Executive Officer, Dairy Farmers of America, to a two-year term as its Chairmen of the Board of Directors. Smith previously served as the Vice Chair on GDP's Board.

"The dairy sector has never been more relevant as a catalyst for improving nutritional security and global health," said Smith. "We all need to play a part in ensuring dairy is a vital part of the global nutrition equation."

Smith's entry in the dairy industry began in 1982, when he joined Dairylea Cooperative Inc. as vice president and general counsel. From 1988 to 2005, he served as the Chief Executive Officer of the Syracuse, N.Y.-based cooperative, which merged into DFA in April 2014.

Smith will succeed former Royal FrieslandCampina Chief Executive Officer Cees 't Hart. New Royal FrieslandCampina Chief Executive Officer Roelof Joosten will replace 't Hart on the GDP board, which also includes Arla Foods Chief Executive Officer Peder Tuborgh and Fonterra Chief Executive Officer Theo Spierings.

Additionally, Jacqueline Chow, Managing Director, Global Brands and Nutrition, Fonterra was selected to serve as GDP's next Operational Committee Chair. Her two-year term will begin in September 2015.

Additional governance members continuing to serve are Jay Waldvogel, Senior Vice President of Strategy and International Development, Dairy Farmers of America; Paul Cornillon, Senior Vice President, Research & Development, Arla; Dr. Jeremy Hill, President, International Dairy Federation; Jerry Kaminski, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, International, Land O'Lakes; Thierry Philardeau, Head of Dairy Strategic Business Unit, Nestec; and Frank van Ooijen, Director of Sustainability and Corporate Communications, Royal FrieslandCampina.

About Global Dairy Platform
Established in 2006, GLOBAL DAIRY PLATFORM's mission is to align and support the dairy industry to promote sustainable dairy nutrition. Visit www.globaldairyplatform.com for more information.