Grand Prairie, Texas, United States – November 2024 – Dairy MAX, a leading regional dairy council representing over 900 dairy farmers across eight states, has officially appointed Keira Lombardo of Southlake, Texas, as its new Chief Executive Officer. With over 20 years of experience in the agriculture industry, Lombardo is set to bring a wealth of expertise to Dairy MAX. Her tenure will begin on December 2, 2024, as she succeeds Mike Konkle, who is retiring after serving as CEO since 2007.
Mary Kraft, Board Chair of Dairy MAX and CEO of Kraft Family Dairies, expressed gratitude for Konkle’s dedicated leadership. “Under Mike’s guidance, Dairy MAX has flourished, expanding our reach and impact for dairy farmers across the region,” said Kraft. “Keira brings a wealth of experience to Dairy MAX, with a passion for farmers, sustainability, and agriculture.”
Lombardo most recently served as Chief Administrative Officer at Smithfield Foods, a global leader in food and agriculture. Her responsibilities included overseeing corporate communications, government affairs, sustainability, investor relations, and human resources.
“I am honored to serve as the next CEO of Dairy MAX,” said Keira Lombardo, Chief Executive Officer at Dairy MAX. “I have a deep respect for the hard work and dedication of dairy farmers, and I am passionate about ensuring the continued success of this vital industry. I look forward to working with the talented Dairy MAX team to champion dairy, advocate for our farmers, and connect with consumers across the region.”
With her commitment to advancing sustainability and social impact in the food and agriculture space, Lombardo is known for her people-centric leadership style, which fosters a high-performing, inclusive team environment.
Barb O’Brien, President and CEO of Dairy Management, Inc. (DMI), emphasized Lombardo’s fit for Dairy MAX: “Keira’s proven track record of success in building strong relationships, navigating complex issues, and fostering growth aligns with Dairy MAX’s mission. Her extensive experience in the food and agriculture industry, coupled with her leadership skills, make her the right fit for the Dairy MAX team.”
Founded over 40 years ago, Dairy MAX is one of the leading regional dairy councils in America, representing more than 900 dairy farmers and serving communities across Colorado, southwest Kansas, Louisiana, Montana, New Mexico, western Oklahoma, Texas, and Wyoming. Dairy MAX is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting American agriculture, supporting dairy farming, and creating impactful programs for dairy farmers. The organization operates five outreach programs: business development, consumer marketing, health and wellness, industry image and relations, and school marketing.
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