The dairy checkoff program will be under new management shortly for the first time pretty much since its inception.

Tom Gallagher this week announced his retirement as CEO of Dairy Management Inc., which was created in 1995 to run the dairy promotion and research program approved by Congress in 1983 and finalized with a producer referendum in 1993. Gallagher has been involved since the beginning, overseeing the evolution of the U.S. Dairy Export Council, Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy, National Dairy Council, and much more.

Barbara O’Brien, President of DMI and CEO of the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy, has been named by the board of directors as the next CEO. The board leadership, Gallagher and O’Brien will work on a transition plan and Gallagher has committed his support through the transition timeframe. O’Brien’s knowledge and experience with the dairy industry provide a seamless transition and a steady continuation of the checkoff’s value to dairy farmers.

“I am proud of the success of the checkoff during the past 30 years and the steady foundation it created for future impact, and I am leaving with complete confidence that Barb will continue to drive this success forward in new ways,” Gallagher said. “My work for America’s dairy farmers will always be the highlight of my career.”