SEATTLE – Farmer-owned dairy cooperative Darigold, Inc. introduced Allan Huttema as its chief executive officer.

The interim CEO for the Northwest-based dairy processing company since late 2023, Huttema previously served as Darigold’s director for nine years, as well as chairman of its board the past three years.

An Idaho dairy farmer and member-owner of the Northwest Dairy Association (NDA) for more than 25 years, Huttema replaced former Darigold CEO Joe Coote, who left with plans to return to his native Australia.

Darigold shared that upon accepting his new role as CEO, Huttema resigned from the cooperative’s board of directors. The board elected Washington dairy farmer Tony Freeman as its new chair. Freeman previously served as vice chair. The board elected another Washington dairy farmer, Mike Schoneveld, as the new vice chair.

Said Huttema: “As a dairy farmer myself, I know how important it is to have successful and vibrant Darigold to serve as the marketing and processing arm of our co-op. To our community of dairy farmers in the region, Darigold isn't just a company, it's the lifeblood of our industry, and it's important to me to help preserve this way of life to which our farmer-owners, me included, have dedicated our lives."

New board chairman Freeman said the cooperative’s evolution is at a crucial stage, with a new processing facility soon opening in Pasco, Wash.

"At this time, the board believes that Darigold will benefit from continuity of leadership and that a strong connection between the company and its farmer-owners is important as we look to complete our Pasco project and build the on-farm capacity we will need as we begin operations there,” Freeman said. “We believe that Allan's background uniquely qualifies him for the CEO role at this time."