Obituary

Founding CEO of Dairy Farmers of America Passes

Fri, 12 Dec 2025 18:52:37 GMT

Gary Hanman, the founding CEO of Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) and a longtime leader in the cooperative dairy world, has recently passed. He served as CEO from DFA’s inception in 1998 until 2005, guiding the cooperative and the broader dairy industry through a period of significant growth and collaboration, according to a company statement.

Before taking the lead at Dairy Farmers of America, Hanman served as CEO of Mid-America Dairyman, where he built a strong track record and earned the respect of colleagues across the dairy industry. His work positioned him as a trusted and respected figure within the cooperative dairy community, known for his ability to navigate complex organizational and market challenges.

In 1998, when four regional cooperatives joined forces to create a stronger national voice for dairy farmers, Hanman was the unanimous choice to lead the newly formed DFA. Under his guidance, the cooperative became the nation’s first truly national dairy organization, establishing a model of collaboration and unity that continues to influence the industry today.

“Gary was probably the only person in the country who could have brought dairy farmers together to form Dairy Farmers of America,” says Randy Mooney, chairman of DFA’s board of directors and a farmer-owner in Rogersville, Mo. “He was a dynamic figure and visionary in his work for American dairy farmers.”

During his years at DFA, Hanman was known for bringing together organizations with different histories and priorities, while keeping the focus on supporting farmers. His approach helped solidify DFA’s role in the national dairy landscape and created long-lasting benefits for dairy producers well beyond his tenure.

Hanman’s work left a lasting mark on DFA and the broader dairy community, helping build a cooperative that continues to support American dairy farmers today.

Finding Meaning in Passionate Work

Wed, 21 Aug 2024 20:50:10 GMT

When someone passes away, it naturally serves as a reminder that tomorrow is not guaranteed and nobody knows when the good Lord will call us home. Recently, I learned of the sudden passing of one of my colleagues, Greg Henderson, who was the editorial director for our beef brand, Drovers. My heart sank upon hearing the news, and I was struck by a profound sense of loss.

A Heartfelt Farewell
Greg was on the verge of retirement, and it broke my heart to think that he didn’t get to enjoy those years of peace and relaxation. The sorrow I felt when my father passed away in 2016 came flooding back. My father had suffered a massive stroke in 2008 and spent nearly five weeks in the ICU years before his passing and Greg’s passing brought back all those painful memories.

Lessons Learned
Years before my father’s stroke, I remember having a conversation with him about not taking time off. He was incredibly proud of the fact that he milked cows every day, twice a day for decades. “I’m sure I hold some kind of record,” he once told me with a sense of pride. As my dad lay in the ICU after his stroke, I recalled that ‘record’ and felt an overwhelming urge to shake him and tell him, “Nobody cared about your record.” But, through tears and with time, I came to understand that the record meant a lot to him.

My father grew up incredibly poor – beyond my comprehension – and was determined to build a better life for his own family. He was devoted to providing the financial and emotional support that his own family had failed to provide for him. So, dad poured himself into his work of being a dairy farmer and he was so proud of the farm and family he built.

The Heart of a Rancher
Greg’s journey in the beef industry was more than just a career; it was his life’s purpose. Much like my late father, who loved his work, Greg was deeply committed to the ranchers he served. He always had their back. His connection to the beef audience wasn’t just professional; it was personal. Greg understood the challenges, joys, and intricacies of ranch life because he was one of them. This allowed him to create content that was not only informative but also resonated with the heart and soul of the rancher community.

As I reflect on Greg’s life and work, I am reminded of my late father and the common thread that binds passionate individuals like them. They both missed out on what many might call the ‘easy years,’ but they gained something much more valuable in return—the joy and fulfillment of doing work they loved.

California Dairy Family Suffers Big Heartache After Losing Three Long-Term Employees in a Car Accident

Wed, 22 Feb 2023 17:07:26 GMT

Red Top Jerseys in El Nido, Calif., is like every dairy farm across the country. In order for the family dairy to operate 365 days a year, it requires a team of a dedicated staff. On Valentine’s Day, Red Top Jerseys dairy team suffered an enormous loss, as the dairy lost three of its long-term employees in a tragic car accident.

According to the California Highway Patrol, the fatal crash occurred in a multi-vehicle and rollover collision near Los Banos in Merced County.

A Toyota Tacoma was reportedly traveling west on the highway, and beside it was a Toyota Highlander. On the eastbound lane was a Mercedes driven by a Long Beach resident that veered across the highway’s dirt median after the driver lost control of the car.

The Mercedes overturned on top of the Tacoma, scattering parts of both cars onto the highway. Its driver was airlifted to a nearby hospital after sustaining severe injuries. The Highlander’s occupants were reportedly unharmed.

Inside the Tacoma were three people and all of them were declared dead on the scene.

Those three people were all employed by Red Top Jerseys. Brent Wickstrom, who’s family is partners in Red Top Jerseys and also owns Wickstrom Jerseys in Hilmar, said, “All three of the employees were long-time employees at the dairy and truly part of the family. If you knew them, you know how special and irreplaceable they were.”

The three employees included two brothers Roberto (Pablo) Romo and Jaime Romo, along with Javier Sandoval.

Pablo was the foreman of Red Top Jerseys for the last 15 years and according to Chris Terra, the manager of Red Top Jerseys, was like a brother to Chris and others at the dairy.

“He was a great man that had a great sense of humor. He loved cows, he loved his family, and he loved his job,” Terra says.

Pablo was 38-years-old and leaves behind an expecting widow, a teenage daughter, along with a son and daughter, both under 11-years-old.

Javier Sandoval was Red Top Jerseys mechanic for the past 11 years. Terra says he was one of his best friends and also like a brother to him.

“He was one of the smartest men and mechanically inclined people I’ve ever known. He could fix anything,” he says. “He loved hunting, fishing, cooking, and spending time with friends and family. What an amazing person.”

Javier was 31-years-old.

Jaime Romo was one of Red Top’s lead people on the farm crew where he’s been for 16 years.

Jaime was known for his smiles and upbeat personality.

“He was always smiling, positive, and a great person to be around,” Terra says. “He loved his family and he loved his brothers.”

Jaime was 41-years-old and leaves behind a widow, a young adult son, and three children under the age of 14.

“Words can’t describe the pain and suffering to lose all three of these great young men all at once in the blink of an eye,” Terra says.

As any dairy can imagine, a loss of this magnitude is hard to recover from. The grief felt at Red Top Jerseys is huge. When working closely together, employees become like family. A GoFundMe account has been set up to help the families. According to Terra these men provided the primary income for their families.

“This fundraiser will go directly towards helping these families pay their bills and put food on their children’s tables,” he says.

Fundraiser by Chris Terra : 3 Families Need Our Help (gofundme.com)