Janet Keller Madison, Wisconsin Communications/Public Relations Manager World Dairy Expo

What education are you bringing with you to this position?
I received my Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture and Extension Education with a Dairy Science emphasis from the University of Wisconsin – Platteville.

What territory will you cover?
National and Canada

What are your new responsibilities?
My new responsibilities include directing World Dairy Expo’s overall public relations, advertising and corporate communications. Developing key relationships with media, providing information, images and editorial content for World Dairy Expo and World Dairy Expo Management activities will be a primary objective.

What excites you most about working in your new role?
Working to support the extremely high-quality dairy show cattle and their exhibitors will be exciting. In addition, there is a need for collaborative work between dairy industry partners and producers. The event truly has become the place where the industry meets, so it is on the cutting edge of shared research, innovation and products. I hope that my role at World Dairy Expo can assist in motivating people to participate and take advantage of all of the facets that the event offers. I look forward to assisting the media in sharing this positive story as well as helping consumers understand the value of a healthy and vibrant dairy industry.

How will you be of most help to producers in your region or area of expertise?
I not only bring experience, but also passion and enthusiasm for the future of the agriculture industry. Of course, my love of a good cow and the respect of the dairy producers that work with them should help.

Why did you choose this company?
Having grown up in Dane County, where the show is hosted, I vividly remember the awe I experienced as a youngster attending the early years of the show in the 1960s. The cows were so big and beautiful … and the herd managers were tenderly caring for each animal. World Dairy Expo is the pinnacle of high-quality cattle, professional dairy producers, generous volunteers, global visitors and commercial exhibitors. I know that the organization’s mission of serving as ambassadors to the dairy industry and the culture’s values is closely aligned with my personal values.

What previous positions have you held?
Earlier positions that I held include Public Relations Coordinator of Tri-State Breeders, Office Manager of Mapleleaf Genetics, Lab Technician at Agri-Graphics and General Manager of Mandt Community Center. In recent years I served as Vice President of Marketing Communications at Accelerated Genetics and Customer Service Coordinator at Semex USA. The dairy industry has also provided me the unique opportunity to serve in leadership roles including World Dairy Expo Commercial Exhibitor Committee, Dairy Calf and Heifer Growers Allied Industry Committee, Wisconsin Farm Technology Day executive board of directors, Wisconsin FFA Foundation board of directors, Wisconsin Agribusiness Council board of directors and Federated Youth Foundation board of directors. My parents provided great role models as active community volunteers teaching me to give back to the industry.

What goals would you like to accomplish while in this position?
Goals that I would aspire to accomplish include broadening the communication to include new groups of participants and attendees. I will strive to continue developing domestic and international relationships through the growing arsenal of communication tools. I would also hope to assist in building collaborative groups between the industry and some non-traditional audiences. I will build on the traditions and past success of the event and add visionary strategic plans to assist in growing the event for the future. PD