GRAND PRAIRIE, TEXAS – Dairy MAX, a nonprofit regional dairy council, promoted Marty McKinzie to become the organization’s chief growth officer and announced the hiring of Kay Johnson Smith as its new chief operating officer.

McKinzie will be responsible for business and organizational development, industry image and relations for Dairy MAX, which represents more than 900 dairy farmers.

Johnson Smith will lead key areas of the business, including consumer marketing, corporate communications and issues management.

Both McKinzie and Johnson Smith will report to Mike Konkle, Dairy MAX’s chief executive officer since 2007.

Working for Dairy MAX since 2008, McKinzie first joined the organization as director of industry image and relations. He currently is the vice president of industry image and relations.

Johnson Smith served as president and CEO at Animal Agriculture Alliance for nearly three decades before joining Dairy MAX.

"Dairy councils are an asset to farmers every day, supporting them in their efforts to provide and market dairy products to Americans," Konkle said. "The way we see it, dairy farmers have both tough and incredible jobs –– and it is our responsibility to meet their expectations and serve them well. The addition of these two roles will help us to be positioned for continued success in the coming years. We look forward to Marty and Kay's contributions."

Founded more than 40 years ago, Dairy MAX promotes dairy, develops new dairy foods and provides educational information on dairy. It works with organizations such as the National Dairy Council and Milk Processor Education Program. Dairy MAX serves communities in Colorado, southwest Kansas, Montana, New Mexico, western Oklahoma, Texas and Wyoming.