MIDDLETON, WIS. – Midwest dairy cooperative Foremost Farms USA named Joel Eigenbrood its new chairman of the board. 

Eigenbrood, of Mt. Pleasant, Mich., served on Foremost Farms’ board the previous four years, taking on the roles of director, assistant secretary/treasurer and first vice chairman during that time.

The cooperative also announced officers for its 2024 board: first vice chairman Kyle Olson, Shioctin, Wis.; second vice chairman Roger Hibschman, Syracuse, Ind.; secretary Steve Trescher, Cashton, Wis.; and assistant secretary/treasurer Jeremy Bratz, Franksville, Wis.

Foremost Farms president and chief executive officer Greg Schlafer said the cooperative was pleased to introduce Eigenbrood as the newly elected chairman of the board.

“Joel’s financial background and his experience in dairy farm accounting and advisory services has provided valuable insight during his history as a leader of the cooperative, and we’re pleased to have his support in his new role,” Schlafer said.

Eigenbrood said he aims to further support Foremost Farms’ positive trajectory.

“I’m pleased to lead the board in our representation of all the Foremost Farms members,” he said. “I believe it’s important to support Greg and the management team and continue to lead the cooperative forward for the benefit of its stakeholders.”

In addition, the cooperative’s leadership thanked outgoing chairman Rick Burkhamer, who previously spent nearly a decade as the board’s secretary. Foremost Farms shared that Burkhamer first became a board member in 1991, for Wisconsin Dairies, before a merger with Golden Guernsey Dairy created Foremost Farms. 

The cooperative also thanked John Machuzick, who is retiring after acting as independent director for the past nine years.