Foremost Farms USA, a dairy cooperative and major dairy food manufacturer with annual sales of $1.8 billion to national and international markets, announced its new board leadership. 

The board welcomes Joel Eigenbrood, Mount Pleasant, Mich., as Foremost Farms’ new chairman of the board, effective April 30. Eigenbrood has been on the cooperative’s board for four years, serving as a director, assistant secretary/treasurer and first vice chairman Joel also serves as a board member for the United Dairy Industry of Michigan.  

Other board officers are First Vice Chairman Kyle Olson, Shioctin, Wisc.; Second Vice Chairman Roger Hibschman, Syracuse, Ind.; Secretary Steve Trescher, Cashton, Wisc.; and Assistant Secretary/Treasurer Jeremy Bratz, Franksville, Wisc. 

“We are pleased to announce Joel has been elected as our chairman,” said Greg Schlafer, President and CEO of Foremost Farms. “Joel’s financial background and his experience in dairy farm accounting and advisory services has provided valuable insight during his history as a leader of the cooperative, and we’re pleased to have his support in his new role.” 

Eigenbrood’s goal is to offer his continued support of Foremost Farms’ positive trajectory.  “I’m pleased to lead the board in our representation of all the Foremost Farms members,” said Eigenbrood. “I believe it’s important to support Greg and the management team and continue to lead the cooperative forward for the benefit of its stakeholders.” 

Foremost Farms would like to recognize and thank outgoing Chairman of the Board Rick Burkhamer for his dedication and service to the cooperative. Burkhamer, who served as the cooperative’s secretary of the board for nearly 10 years prior to his beginning his term as chairman in 2022, started his service as a board member in 1991 for Wisconsin Dairies before the merger with Golden Guernsey Dairy that resulted in Foremost Farms. It also thanks John Machuzick for serving for the past nine years as its independent director.