Former Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack named president and CEO of U.S. Dairy Export Council

Tom Vilsack

Former Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has been named president and CEO of the U.S. Dairy Export Council, effective Feb. 1, Jessie Scott reports for Successful Farming. "USDEC is a non-profit, independent organization that works to enhance the global demand for U.S. dairy products and ingredients." Vilsack succeeds Tom Suber, who retired at the end of 2016. Suber had been president since the organization was founded in 1995.

Vilsack's role will be to "provide strategic leadership and oversight of USDEC’s global promotional and research activities, regulatory affairs, and trade policy initiatives," Scott writes. "This includes working with industry leaders to develop a long-term vision for building sales and consumer trust in U.S. dairy."

Vilsack told reporters “Growing the global market for U.S. dairy products is essential to the future of the dairy industry and America’s dairy farmers. I’ve spent my career in public service as a tireless advocate for farmers and American agriculture and can think of no better way to continue this service than by leading the U.S. Dairy Export Council. I look forward to partnering with the dynamic team at USDEC as well as agriculture, food industry, and key stakeholders at home and abroad to advance the council’s mission and strengthen trust in American dairy.”