The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) has chosen Jim Mulhern, chief operating officer, to take over as the group’s president and CEO beginning Jan. 1, 2014.
Mulhern has been appointed by the NMPF Board of Directors to fill the position held by Jerry Kozak since 1997. Earlier this year, Kozak informed the board of his desire to retire at the end of the year.
“We are very excited to have such a knowledgeable and capable leader at the head of our team in the coming years,” said NMPF Chairman Randy Mooney, a dairy producer from Rogersville, Missouri. “The importance of experience cannot be underestimated in a complex industry like ours. Jim’s impressive and extensive track record working on dairy issues made him the ideal choice to be the next President and CEO of NMPF.”
Mulhern joined NMPF in January 2013, and since that time has managed the communications, government relations and membership functions of the organization. His appointment as COO marked a return to NMPF; he had directed the organization’s government relations program earlier in his career.
Mulhern, a Wisconsin native, came to Washington, D.C., to work on Capitol Hill in 1983. Following his service at NMPF in the mid-1980s, he returned to Capitol Hill to serve as Chief of Staff for Wisconsin Sen. Herb Kohl.
He also worked in senior management positions for Fleishman-Hillard, the Fratelli Group and Watson/Mulhern LLC. During this period, he maintained a close relationship with the dairy industry and NMPF by working as a consultant on numerous projects.
“I sincerely appreciate the opportunity to lead a membership organization that has meant so much to me throughout my career,” Mulhern said. “I look forward to building further upon the relationships and successes of the past, but with a clear focus on addressing the challenges to dairy farming’s future.”
Kozak will continue his involvement with the organization’s Cooperatives Working Together (CWT) program, which provides export assistance to its member cooperatives. He will oversee CWT’s program and administrative operations and will report directly to Mulhern. PD
—From National Milk Producers Federation news release
