MMPA delegates overwhelmingly approve Board driven bylaw changes

NOVI, Mich.— The Board of Directors for the Michigan Milk Producers Association (MMPA) recently presented delegates with proposed revisions to the organization’s bylaws to further support MMPA’s mission and vision. Delegates overwhelmingly adopted the proposed changes, updating MMPA’s governance structure and leadership titles.

Following the delegate meeting, the MMPA Board of Directors met and reaffirmed the appointment of Joe Diglio as President and CEO, Kris Wardin as Board Chairman, Doug Chapin as Board Vice Chairman, and Eric Frahm as Treasurer.

Diglio, now serving the position of President and CEO, was appointed general manager of MMPA in 2014. He has over 28 years of experience with MMPA, serving in various accounting and finance functions and as director of finance, controller and assistant treasurer throughout his tenure. Diglio holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Wayne State University and master’s degree in management and strategic leadership from Walsh College.

Board Chairman Wardin is a dairy farmer member of MMPA from St. Johns, Michigan. He was elected president in March 2019 and was first elected to an at-large position on the board of directors in 2017. He and his wife, Carla, were named the 2012 MMPA Outstanding Young Dairy Cooperators and served on the National Milk Producers Federation’s Young Cooperators Council as the Chaircouple.

Board Vice Chairman Doug Chapin is a dairy farmer member of MMPA from Remus, Michigan. Chapin was originally elected to the MMPA board of directors in 2016 and farms in partnership with his wife, Cheri, and son, Samuel. Chapin was named MSU Dairy Farmer of the Year in 1994.

Treasurer Eric Frahm is a dairy farmer member of MMPA from Frankenmuth, Michigan and was originally elected to the MMPA Board of Directors in 2006. Frahm has served as Treasurer since 2015.

MMPA member-owners are represented by over 150 delegates who meet on an annual basis to set policy resolutions and elect at-large members of the board of directors. The delegates gathered for a special delegate meeting in August to vote on changes to the MMPA bylaws.

MMPA is a dairy farmer owned cooperative founded in 1916. MMPA serves approximately 1,600 dairy farmers in Michigan, Indiana, Ohio and Wisconsin, handling approximately 5 billion pounds of milk annually. MMPA operates two SQF Level 3 certified manufacturing plants in Michigan and a cheese plant in Indiana. Products made at MMPA’s plants include cheese, ultra-filtered milk, butter, milk powder, cream and condensed skim milk.