Darigold, Inc., a major dairy cooperative headquartered in Seattle, Wash., who serves as the processing and marketing subsidiary of the Northwest Dairy Association, is paving the way for an exciting chapter in its history with significant leadership changes and strategic expansion plans.
On October 1, Amy Humphreys will take over the helm as the company’s new chief executive officer, bringing with her a wealth of experience that spans various sectors, including food manufacturing and petroleum. Her appointment follows the departure of Allan Huttema, who admirably steered Darigold through transformative times and will now return to his dairy farm in Idaho.
A Proven Leader for a Vibrant Future
Humphreys is no stranger to Darigold, having served as its chief financial officer from 2015 to 2018. Her reputation is built on a proven track record of leadership in vertically integrated food businesses, fostering business performance and sustainable practices. Darigold shares that Humphreys also serves as a board director for private and publicly held companies, as well as on the Economic Advisory Council for the Federal Reserve Board 12th District and on CoBank’s nominating committee.
She earned an MBA from the University of Washington Foster School of Business, as well as a bachelor’s degree in accounting and finance from Puget Sound University.
According to Tim Kuenzi, Darigold’s board chair, Humphreys is precisely the leader needed to drive the company forward as it continues modernizing its operations. Under her leadership, the company aims to focus on responsible resource management and transformative growth.
“Amy is the right leader for our company as we begin this important chapter,” Kuenzi says. “Allan stepped in at a critical time, and we made some significant progress under his leadership – standing up Pasco [its newest facility], improving operations and strengthening our already capable leadership team.”
Challenges with Confidence
Darigold’s journey isn’t without its challenges. Earlier this year, the Seattle-based cooperative announced substantial financial adjustments, affecting its 250 member farms across the Northwest. These changes include a deduction of $4 per hundredweight, with $2.50 of this earmarked for the development of a new plant in Pasco, Wash. Although this decision has sparked concern among farmers, there’s a shared belief that these short-term sacrifices will yield long-term benefits.
Fourth-generation dairy farmer Jason Sheehan, who runs J&K Dairy — a 3,000-cow dairy in eastern Wash., — and supplies milk to Darigold, voices a mix of concern and optimism.
“It’s going to be a rough road to get there for the next year or so,” he says. “We are hurting right now. When milk price is down, coupled with these deducts, it starts to sting.”
Sheehan shares going from 11 plants to 12 plants is a big transition.
“Eventually, you’ve got to get to a lower cost to keep up these plants. A lot of our plants have been high cost,” he says. “It’s like a dairy farmer who expands by buying smaller dairies. Eventually, at some point in time, you can’t run a bunch of double six parlors. You’ve got to consolidate and build a facility. That’s kind of what Darigold chose to do.”
A Vision for Sustainable Growth
As we look to the future, Humphreys’ diverse expertise and leadership capabilities will be crucial in navigating these times of change. Darigold’s decision to invest in infrastructure while implementing financial deductions reflects a wider strategy designed to reduce operational costs and enhance profitability. The anticipation and apprehension among stakeholders serve as a reminder of the resilience and adaptability inherent in the dairy farming community.
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