Dairy Farmers of Canada announces changes to its senior management leadership

Executive Director Richard Doyle to Retire in August

OTTAWA, June 6, 2014 /CNW/ - Dairy Farmers of Canada (DFC) today announced that the organization's Executive Director, Richard Doyle, has decided to retire on August 31, 2014, starting a leadership transition over the next few months. Doyle's decision to retire will bring to a close a remarkable career of 38 years of continuous service to the organization and its stakeholders, Canadian dairy provincial organizations and dairy farmers.

"Richard has always been a hard working individual who has shown passion and leadership in the development of our industry and the defense of our supply management system over the past four decades. His knowledge of our industry and his strong leadership has been recognized both domestically and internationally", said Wally Smith, President of DFC.

"There will be significant changes in senior management of the organization in the coming 18 months," said Doyle. "Leaving now will permit the new CEO to build a new leadership team that should ensure DFC continues to excel in promoting dairy products as well as defend the interests of dairy farmers in Canada in years to come."

During Doyle's tenure as Executive Director, he has been involved in numerous projects and negotiations process, including:

• From 2008 to 2012: President of the International Dairy Federation.
• 1994: Merger with the Dairy Bureau, the national organization responsible for the overall promotion of Canadian dairy products. All policy, marketing, nutrition and market research activities were regrouped under the newly formed organization, which retained the name 'Dairy Farmers of Canada'.
• 1992: Responsible for organizing the largest rally of farmers (40,000) on Parliament Hill over the GATT negotiations
• Acting, during the 70's, as Secretary of the National Committee responsible for the drafting of the National Milk Marketing Plan, the federal-provincial agreement that is the foundation of the Canadian milk supply management system.

Doyle has agreed to remain an advisor to the President for the remainder of the year as DFC proceeds with the transition process in the coming months. DFC's Board of Directors will conduct the process to choose Doyle's successor and wants to thank him for his many years of dedication.

About Dairy Farmers of Canada
Run for farmers by farmers, Dairy Farmers of Canada is the voice of Canadian dairy farmers. Dairy Farmers of Canada (DFC) is the national policy, lobbying and promotional organization representing Canada's farmers living on 12,529 dairy farms. DFC strives to create stable conditions for the Canadian dairy industry, today and in the future. It works to maintain policies that foster the viability of Canadian dairy farmers and promote dairy products and their health benefits.

Image with caption: "DFC Executive Director Richard Doyle. (CNW Group/Dairy Farmers of Canada (Corporate))". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140606_C8937_PHOTO_EN_41174.jpg

SOURCE: Dairy Farmers of Canada (Corporate)

Geneviève Latour
Dairy Farmers of Canada
514-231-6386
[email protected]