Lagrange is New Director of Dairy Innovation Center

Veronique Lagrange Appointed Director of the California Dairy Innovation Center

The California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB), the marketing order representing California dairy producers, today announced the addition of Veronique Lagrange as the Director of the California Dairy Innovation Center (CDIC).

The CDIC was recently created to further product-oriented innovation and enhance productivity for the California dairy industry. Working closely with the CMAB and the California Dairy Research Foundation (CDRF), Lagrange will act as a liaison for researchers, educators, business development representatives, and processors interested in innovation efforts.

Most recently Lagrange held the position of Director of Business Development for the American Dairy Products Institute (ADPI), where she also chaired the Center of Excellence; as well as several industry taskforces. She also spearheaded The Strong Inside campaign, and served as a subject matter expert for business strategies, nutrition and scientific matters; in addition to the organizer of technical programs and conferences.

Lagrange previously held roles at the US Dairy Export Council (USDEC), which included Senior Vice President of Business Development, Strategies and Insights, and Director of International Marketing. Furthermore, she has conducted food technology programs for the California Raisin Advisory Board, Almond Board of California, and National Honey Board.

“Veronique will be a tremendous asset to California dairy innovation, as she brings a breadth of experience and skills to our team”, said John Talbot, CEO of the CMAB. “At both ADPI and USDEC, Veronique has had valuable experience with the research and development of dairy products and ingredients. She is extremely knowledgeable of their applications and functionality in manufacturing, as well as their vital role in the export business, which is very important to us.”

“It is truly an honor to have this opportunity for leadership of this unique program, which will be guided by the goals and priorities established by a cross-industry committee. I look forward to being an active partner and advocate within the dairy community to promote innovation and also to support the development of the workforce which will, in turn, ensure the global competitiveness of the California dairy industry in the future,” said Lagrange.

CDRF is pleased to welcome Veronique as the new director of the CDIC,” said Denise Mullinax, Executive Director of CDRF. “We look forward to collaborating with her in the expansion of research in the areas of innovation and development on behalf of the California dairy industry.”

Lagrange received her BS and MS degrees in Food Science from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. She also holds a degree in Nutrition from Ecole de Medecine, Paris, France, and a Doctorate degree in Engineering Management from George Washington University, Washington D.C. In addition to these accolades, Lagrange completed the Executive Program on Managing Technical Professionals and Organizations at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Sloan School of Management, as well as the Digital Marketing Program at the Yale University School of Management.

California is the nation’s leading milk producer. It also produces more butter, ice cream and nonfat dry milk than any other state. The state is the second-largest producer of cheese and yogurt. California milk and dairy foods can be identified by the Real California Milk seal, which certifies they are made exclusively with milk from the state’s dairy farm families.

New Officers Elected for Milk Advisory Board

Newly Elected:

California Milk Advisory Board 2020 Executive Committee Officers

Newly elected 2020 officers of the California Milk Advisory Board Executive Committee are (top row, left to right): Vice Chairman Tony Louters of Merced, Chairman Josh Zonneveld of Laton, Treasurer David Vander Schaaf of Stockton, Shown in the bottom row (left to right): Member-at-Large Essie Bootsma of Lakeview, Secretary Megan Silva of Escalon, Member-at-Large Kirsten Areias of Los Banos, and Member-at-Large Renae DeJager of Chowchilla.

San Joaquin County dairy producer, David Vander Schaaf, has been elected to serve as treasurer to the Executive Committee of the California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB), the promotional arm of the state’s dairy farmers.

David is a fourth-generation dairy farmer at Vander Schaaf Dairy, which was established in 1929. David joined the family business in partnership with brothers Joey and James, as well as father John Vander Schaaf in 2013. He is a member of the Milk Producers Council.

Dairy producer Renae DeJager of Merced County has been re-elected as Member-at-Large to the Executive Committee of the California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB), the promotional arm of the state’s dairy farmers.

Renae and husband Art are owners of 1500-acre Vista Verde Dairy, which was established in 1977 and where they currently milk 3,200 Holsteins. She is an active member of her community and serves a variety of community groups including California Women for AG, Stone Ridge Christian School Board and Cornerstone Community Church in Chowchilla. She previously served on the board for the U.S. Dairy Export Council and the National Dairy Promotion and Research Board where she traveled extensively to promote dairy in domestic and international markets.

Lakeview dairy producer Essie Bootsma has elected to serve as Member-at-Large to the Executive Committee of the California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB), the promotional arm of the state’s dairy farmers.

Essie milks 2,000 Holsteins with her son Jason at the John Bootsma Dairy that she started with her husband, John, in 1979. She is a member of a variety of community groups, including the Western Riverside Ag Coalition, where she serves as secretary, the Eastern Municipal Water District Advisory Committee and the Eastern Municipal Dairy Water Supply, where she serves as chair. She previously served as Secretary to the CMAB’s Executive Committee. In her free time, Essie enjoys representing CMAB in promotional trade shows, spending time with her five grandchildren and cooking for and entertaining family and friends.

Fresno County dairy producer Josh Zonneveld has been re-elected to serve as Chairman of the Executive Committee of the California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB), the promotional arm of the state’s dairy farmers.

Josh and his wife Cassie along with other family members currently milk 8,500 Holsteins at the 7,000-acre Zonneveld Dairies that his grandfather founded in 1968. He joined the family business in 2005. He is a member of the Ag Executive Council for Land O’ Lakes and also serves on the board for the California Dairy Research Foundation.

Dairy producer Kirsten Areias of Los Banos in Merced County, has been re-elected to serve as Member-at-Large to the Executive Committee of the California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB), the promotional arm of the state’s dairy farmers.

Kirsten has been a dairy producer since 1980 and currently milks 320 Holsteins with husband Dennis at the 360-acre Den-K Holsteins, Inc. She is a member of a variety of industry groups, including Western United Dairyman, serves as an advisor for the California Holstein Association and Merced County Junior Holstein Association, and is a Dairy Bowl Coach.

Dairy producer Megan Silva of Escalon in San Joaquin County has been elected to serve as Secretary to the Executive Committee of the California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB), the promotional arm of the state’s dairy farmers.

Megan graduated from Cal Poly in 2006 and is a 4^th generation dairy farmer. Megan and husband Johnny Silva, along with her father Frank Rocha, currently milk 2100 Holsteins at the 900-acre Frank N. Rocha Dairy L.P., where she has worked since 2006. Megan and Johnny started their own dairy, R & S Dairy LLC. in May of last year. She is also extremely passionate about the fitness and wellness industries, and shares these passions through her two businesses in Escalon; EscalonFIT and Wellness by EscalonFIT.

Merced dairy producer Tony Louters has been re-elected to serve as Vice Chairman to the Executive Committee of the California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB), the promotional arm of the state’s dairy farmers.

Tony and his wife Corinna own T & C Louters Dairy in Merced where they currently milk 600 Holsteins. They have been in business since 2003 and have four children: Alexis, Bryce, Tyler and Breann. Tony is a member of Western United Dairymen.

California is the nation’s leading fluid milk producer and a leader in sustainable dairy practices. The state also produces more butter and nonfat dry milk than any other state and is the second-largest producer of cheese and yogurt. Dairy products made with California milk can be identified by the Real California Milk seal, which certifies that the products are made with milk produced on California dairy farms.