SYRACUSE, NY – The American Dairy Association North East (ADANE) named John Chrisman its next chief executive officer.

Chrisman is set to take on his new position beginning June 2. He is succeeding Rick Naczi, who is retiring after 32 years of leading the regional dairy checkoff promotion group.

In his new role, Chrisman will lead the organization to fulfill its mission of promoting dairy and serving as the association’s key liaison with industry and government leaders, per the ADANE.

Previously, Chrisman worked in senior leadership roles in retail marketing, producer relations, school marketing, processor relations and hunger relief. He began working in dairy promotion in 2001, with American Dairy Association Mideast, and then went on to work for the Mid-Atlantic Dairy Association and the Pennsylvania Dairy Promotion Program. The two groups merged with American Dairy Association & Dairy Council in 2016 to become ADANE.

"Over the years, I have performed a wide range of functions, which allowed me to work one-on-one with dairy farmers as well as consumers,” the new CEO said. “I believe my experience and insight will be key to elevating our programs in retail, schools, broadcast media and digital marketing to meet demand of consumers.”

The ADANE’s board president, Audrey Donahoe, added: "With more than two decades of experience leading multiple departments in dairy promotion, John is perfectly suited for this new challenge. We are thrilled to have someone with such knowledge and commitment to dairy farmers lead the organization into the future."

As CEO, Chrisman will represent the 9,000 dairy farms in ADANE’s region.

"There are no better or harder working people than the dairy farmers who I will represent,” he said. “I am both honored and privileged to have been chosen and trusted to lead the organization on their behalf."

Chrisman earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Robert Morris University.

Funded by dairy checkoff dollars from 9,000 dairy farms in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware and northern Virginia, ADANE works closely with Dairy Management Inc. ADANE is the local affiliate of the National Dairy Council and works toward nutrition education and research-based communications.