2017 has turned out to be a landmark year for the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board (WMMB), as the company continues to refine its mission of ensuring long term prosperity for Wisconsin dairy farms. To further this mission, WMMB has focused in on finding some of the top talent in the food industry, adding new team members from a variety of brands and bringing industry knowledge, new perspectives, and passion for cheese marketing.
Appointed as CEO in December, Chad Vincent is the senior-most hire from WMMB for the 2017 year. Vincent came to the WMMB with an extensive background in marketing, leadership, and strategy development, having most recently led Sartori Cheese to record sales. Over his career, Vincent was also tasked with running a frozen food division at Heinz, was the President and Chief Branding Officer for Finland-based Fiskars, and served as President of Asia at Miller Brewing.
“Getting the right people in the right seats is critical to our success,” said Vincent. “I want to make sure that we have the best talent, and that every individual at WMMB is passionate about being a tireless advocate and promoter for Wisconsin’s dairy farmers.“
Additional new hires for WMMB staff this year, according to a press release, include:
Christine Kuske Riese, Director of Channel Marketing: Kuske Riese, an alum of companies such as Fiskars, Spectrum Brands, Jimmy Dean Foods, and Maybelline, will now oversee marketing efforts for several of WMMB’s retail programs.
Rich Mende, Director of Channel Programs: With over 20 years of experience in retail sales management, Mende will now provide leadership and supervision to WMMB’s team of regional marketing managers, as well as oversee the development and implementation of consumer, retail cheese, and dairy promotional programs.
Suzanne Fanning, Vice President of Marketing Communications: A leader of marketing communications for several global brands, Fanning is the immediate past president of the Word of Mouth Marketing Association (WOMMA). At WMMB, Fanning will be tasked with public relations, web, digital, education, social media, branding, and influencer engagement.
Ben Kroeplin, Digital Content Manager: Kroeplin joins WMMB with more than a decade of experience in marketing, communications, and broadcast journalism, and will now manage and develope strategy for WMMB’s digital marketing campaigns.
Lizzy Schultz, Social Media Specialist: A social media specialist, Schultz will provide support on a wide variety of digital media projects and help maintain digital assets for WMMB’s key social media channels—Wisconsin Cheese and America’s Dairyland.
Lizzie Duffey, Public Relations Specialist: A former brand spokesperson and pilot of the iconic Oscar Mayer Wienermobile, Duffey will provide media relations support and assist in the development and execution of consumer promotions and events.
Internal promotions for WMMB include:
Jen Walsh, Vice President of Insights and Strategy: Formerly the Director of Market Research, Walsh will now manage WMMB’s research team and help lead the organization’s strategy and planning process in this new role.
Rachel Kerr, Director of Events and Public Relations: Kerr has expanded role her role with WMMB to include oversight of tours, tradeshows, and consumer events and sponsorships, in addition to day-to-day management of WMMB’s ongoing public relations efforts.
Want to learn more information about WMMB? Visit www.wmmb.com or connect with the company on Facebook.
