Midwest Dairy CEO Corey Scott to succeed Barbara O’Brien
ROSEMONT, Ill. – Following a comprehensive national search, the Dairy Management Inc. (DMI) Board of Directors announced the appointment of Corey Scott as president and chief executive officer.
Scott will become the third president and CEO in DMI’s history, succeeding Barbara O’Brien, who will retire following the 2026 Joint Annual Meeting of the National Dairy Promotion and Research Board, National Milk Producers Federation and United Dairy Industry Association, Oct. 19-21.
The appointment follows a months-long succession process conducted by the DMI Board of Directors to identify the leader best positioned to lead strategies designed to grow dairy sales, strengthen consumer trust and deliver value to the dairy farmers and importers who fund the checkoff.
“We are so excited for the next phase of DMI where Corey will focus on our program areas, strengthen our relationships and bring efficiencies to the incredible work that Barb O’Brien advanced during the past five years,” said Marilyn Hershey, a Pennsylvania dairy farmer and chair of the DMI Board of Directors. “Corey will bring a positive and effective energy to the federation and will continue the amazing work that is implemented for dairy farmers and importers across the country. The search committee unanimously brought her forward, knowing her leadership skills, industry knowledge and humble service will carry us to the next level and secure strong opportunities for the future of dairy.”
As president and CEO, Scott will oversee more than 150 DMI and National Dairy Council employees on behalf of more than 23,000 dairy farmers and dairy importers. Scott also will serve as president and CEO of the checkoff-founded Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy.
Scott comes to DMI after serving as president and CEO of Midwest Dairy, where she led the dairy checkoff across a 10-state region representing 41.8 million consumers and more than 3,600 dairy farm families. Before joining Midwest Dairy in 2024, Scott served as the vice president of sales and marketing for Athian and spent more than 15 years in leadership positions with Land O’Lakes.
She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in agriculture business from the University of Minnesota and earned an executive MBA from the university’s Carlson School of Management.
“America’s dairy farmers have built one of the most respected and successful checkoff organizations in agriculture, and I am honored by the opportunity to serve them,” Scott said. “The work of the dairy checkoff remains critical to growing dairy demand, connecting with today’s consumers and creating new opportunities for the next generation of farmers and importers. I look forward to working alongside the board of directors, our DMI team, state and regional checkoff organizations and our many partners to continue delivering results.”
O’Brien announced her retirement in March after a 25-year career at DMI, serving as president and CEO since 2021. During her tenure, the organization strengthened strategic alignment across the dairy checkoff, expanded innovation initiatives and advanced a unified strategy designed to grow dairy sales and build consumer trust. She is proud to hand the organization to Scott at a time of strength and momentum.
“Serving dairy farmers has been the privilege of my career,” she said. “I have every confidence that Corey and our outstanding DMI team will continue advancing the work of the dairy checkoff while remaining focused on the farmers and importers who make it all possible. The strategy and leadership are strong, and the future of the dairy checkoff is bright.”
For information on how the dairy checkoff is driving sales and building trust, visit www.dairycheckoff.com.
About Dairy Management Inc.
Dairy Management Inc.™ (DMI) is funded by more than 23,000 dairy farmers and dairy importers. DMI manages the national checkoff program and collaborates with state and regional checkoff teams across the United States to boost domestic and global dairy sales through research, education and marketing initiatives. The checkoff also is focused on fostering consumer trust in dairy products and the farm families behind them. DMI manages National Dairy Council and founded the U.S. Dairy Export Council, Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy and Newtrient.
Comments