Bongards’ Creameries is set to enter a new era of leadership as Dennis Thomas, the current chief operating officer, will assume the role of president and CEO on Jan. 1, 2026. Brent Ziegler, chairman of Bongards’ Creameries, recently announced this change, which comes as Daryl Larson prepares for his retirement after a successful tenure that began in 2018.
Leadership Transition
“We’re confident that Dennis, with his tremendous depth of experience and knowledge, will successfully lead Bongards into the future, building upon the growth and industry leadership that Daryl has achieved during his tenure,” Ziegler says, noting the company’s faith in Thomas’ capabilities to steer Bongards forward, ensuring continued success and innovation in the competitive dairy industry.
Thomas brings a wealth of industry experience to his new role. Before joining Bongards’, he held various general management positions at Dairy Farmers of America, Foremost Farms, Land O’Lakes, and Kraft Foods. During his five-year tenure at Bongards’, Thomas has played a pivotal role in expanding operational efficiencies and increasing the company’s manufacturing capacity at its facilities in Humboldt, Tenn., and Bongards, Minn.
“I am honored to be appointed CEO of Bongards and being part of the talented team within this wonderful company,” he says. “Having grown up on a farm in rural South Dakota, I look forward to serving our farmer-owners as we continue building on our positive momentum and delivering strong results.”
About Bongards Creameries
Founded in 1908 in Bongards, Minn., Bongards Creameries is a farmer-owned cooperative with a long-standing history of excellence in the dairy sector. The co-op’s owner-member dairy farms are located in Minnesota and North Dakota, collectively forming a powerhouse of dairy expertise and production.
As a vertically integrated global cheese supplier, Bongards produces hundreds of millions of pounds of natural cheese, processed cheese and whey annually. Their products serve a diverse range of clients, including major food service operators, food manufacturers and distributors. Bongards’ cheeses can be found in a variety of settings such as commercial restaurants, K-12 schools, retail delis and convenience stores.
With corporate offices in Chanhassen, Minn., and production facilities across Bongards, Perham and Humboldt, Bongards Creameries continue to shape the dairy industry through its commitment to quality and innovation.
As Dennis Thomas prepares to lead Bongards into the future, the company looks to solidify its position as a leader in quality cheese production and further expand its global reach in the dairy market.
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