Charles Krause, Chair
Charles Krause, of Krause Holsteins, located in Buffalo, Minnesota, is the chair of Midwest Dairy. Krause Holsteins is a multigenerational dairy farm that first began in 1959 and currently milks around 350 cows. The Krause family has been farming in Wright County for over 150 years, and Krause himself is a fifth-generation farmer. Krause and his wife, Robyn, graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1991 and then had the opportunity to join the family farm full-time. Krause also farms with his son, Andrew, and his daughter, Morgan, helps wherever needed. Krause grows his own feed on 500 acres.
Krause plays a prominent role in the dairy promotion industry. In addition to serving as Midwest Dairy chair, he has been an officer on the Midwest Dairy division board since 2007 and a member of the corporate board since 2010. His past officer position includes being the corporate board first vice chair since 2016. He also serves on the United Dairy Industry Association (UDIA) board as the Secretary and serves the Global Dairy Platform as a United States Ambassador.
In the past, Krause has received recognition as:
- Farmer Communicator of the Year award from the National Milk Producers Federation
- National Dairy Shrine Progressive Dairymen of the Year
- Minnesota Milk Producer of the Year
- Dairy Farmers of America Members of Distinction
- Minnesota FFA Hall of Fame Inductee
Krause is also involved in a variety of dairy and community leadership positions such as Dairy Farmers of America-Central Area Council Vice Chair, Centra Sota Cooperative Board of Directors and the Buffalo FFA Alumni. In his spare time, Charles enjoys traveling with his wife, Robyn.
Molly Pelzer, CEO
Molly Pelzer is the CEO of Midwest Dairy, the dairy promotion organization working on behalf of dairy farm families across 10 Midwestern states to build trust and demand for dairy products. Pelzer is the organization’s third CEO in its 23 years of dairy history. Her proven experience in developing programs and resources is timely as the organization continues its focus on consumer-centric goals to drive sales and enhance consumer trust for dairy. Her longstanding service to Midwest Dairy, family ties to agriculture and expertise as a registered dietitian root her to an industry she is committed to serving.
In her role as CEO, Pelzer provides strategic guidance to Midwest Dairy’s staff of more than 55 employees as they work to fulfill both the organization’s vision: to bring dairy to life, and its mission: to give consumers an excellent dairy experience. Through her leadership, Midwest Dairy is focusing on maximizing dairy farmers’ investment in the dairy checkoff by strategic collaboration with targeted retailers, foodservice, wellness and industry partners as well as focusing on research that leads to the development of products that meet the needs of today’s changing consumer.
Pelzer also plays the lead role in ensuring the Midwest dairy industry captures its share of the growing global and domestic demand for dairy. Consumers in the U.S. and around the world are increasingly turning to dairy foods because they taste great and offer a strong nutritional profile that includes protein, a nutrient many are looking for in their diets. The U.S. dairy industry is committed to sustainable nutrition, a position recognized favorably among domestic and multinational food companies.
Pelzer joined Midwest Dairy in 1984 and has held various executive leadership roles. In her most recent position as chief experience officer, Pelzer led the development of the organization’s strategic priorities. Prior to Midwest Dairy, she worked with the Midland Dairy Association, as well as Dairy Council, Inc., both former checkoff organizations that are now part of the Midwest Dairy region. A registered dietitian, Pelzer graduated from the University of Missouri – Columbia.
Corporate Board Officers for 2023
Midwest Dairy is directed by a 35-member dairy farmer Corporate board with 11 of those members serving on Dairy Management Inc.’s national board.
Corporate Board members include Charles Krause, Chair; Dan Hotvedt, First Vice Chair; Bill Deutsch, Second Vice Chair; Rita Young, Secretary; and Matt Schelling, Treasurer.
Division Board Leadership
Midwest Dairy has 8 Division boards with leaders representing the farmers in their areas.
2023 Illinois Division
Illinois Division Board Members
Bold indicates Corporate Board member
- Doug Block, Pearl City
- Bill Deutsch, Sycamore
- Kristi Dinderman, Orangeville
- Frank Doll, Pocahontas
- Bryan Henrichs, Breese
- Amy Hildebrandt, South Beloit
- David Jarden, Staunton
- Kurt Johnson, Greenville
- Kappy Koch, Tremont
- Donald Mackinson, Pontiac
- Craig Meng, Freeburg
- Glen Meier, Ridott
- Brent Mueller, Garden Prairie
- Steve Obert, Orangeville
- Toby Probst, Wheeler
Board Officers:
- Bill Deutsch, Chair
- Brent Mueller, Vice Chair
- Amy Hildebrandt, Secretary
- Glen Meier, Treasurer
2023 Iowa Division
Iowa Division Board Members
Bold indicates Corporate Board member
- Pam Bolin, Clarksville
- Doug Carroll, (Ex Officio to Corporate Board), Ryan
- Gerrit Davelaar, Inwood
- Dan Dietzenbach, Fort Atkinson
- Jeff Dresser, Keokuk
- Jolene Duitscher, Rolfe
- Alan Feuerhelm, Le Mars
- Robert Horst, Bristow
- Dan Hotvedt, Decorah
- Patrick Jones, Spencer
- Lee Maassen, Maurice
- Dennis Mashek, Calmar
- Anthony Nunes, Sibley
- Josie Rozum, Ely
- Matt Schelling, Orange City
- Jonna Schutte, Monona
- Matt Simon, Dyersville
- Madison Skubal, Wayland
Board Officers:
- Dan Hotvedt, Chair
- Lee Maassen, Vice Chair
- Jonna Schutte, Secretary
- Pam Bolin, Treasurer
2023 Minnesota Division
Minnesota Division Board Members
Bold indicates Corporate Board member
- Anthony Anderson, Henning
- Mindi Arendt, Mazeppa
- Megan Herberg, St. Peter
- Megan Hill, Paynesville
- Eric Hoese, Mayer
- Shirley Hulinsky, Burtrum
- Margaret Johnson, Fountain
- Karen Kasper, Owatonna
- Charles Krause, Buffalo
- Sarah Kuechle, Eden Valley
- Barb Liebenstein, Dundas
- Kate McAndrews, Sauk Centre
- Doug Popp, Royalton
- Dave Schwartz, Slayton
- Eric Sonnek, Foreston
- Kristine Spadgenske, Menahga
- Suzanne Vold, Glenwood
- Rita Young, Plainview
Board Officers:
- Kristine Spadgenske, Chair
- Kate McAndrews, Vice Chair
- Mindi Arendt, Secretary
- Rita Young, Treasurer
2023 Mo-Kan Division board
Mo-Kan Division Board Members
Bold indicates Corporate Board member
- Alfred Brandt, Linn
- Amy Dudeck, Oregon
- Lynda Foster, Fort Scott
- Brian Haverkamp, Seneca
- Chris Heins, Higginsville
- Michael Hemme, Concordia
- Byron Lehman, Newton
- Orville Miller, (Ex Officio to Corporate Board), Hutchinson
- Tom Oelrichs, Mora
- Steve Ohlde, Linn
- Alex Peterson, Trenton
- David Rottinghaus, Seneca
- Curtis Steenbock, Longford
- Steve Strickler, Iola
- Donna Telle, Uniontown
Board Officers:
- Byron Lehman, Chair
- Steve Ohlde, Vice Chair
- Donna Telle, Secretary
- Curtis Steenbock, Treasurer
2023 Nebraska Division
Nebraska Division Board Members
Bold indicates Corporate Board member
- Mike Amen, Norfolk
- Greg Bleeker, Emerson
- Jodi Cast, Beaver Crossing
- David Crook, Humboldt
- Paul Kononoff, PhD (Ex Officio), UNL
- Doug Nuttelman, Stromsburg
- Joyce Racicky, Mason City
- Marshall Reece (Ex Officio), AMPI
- Larry Schuster, Pickrell
- Heath Snodgrass (Ex Officio), Orchard
- Mary Temme, Wayne
Board Officers:
- Mary Temme, Chair
- Joyce Racicky, Vice Chair
- Jodi Cast, Secretary/Treasurer
2023 North Dakota Division
North Dakota Division Board Members
Bold indicates Corporate Board member
- Marc Bauer (Ex Officio), NDSU
- Scott Boll (Ex Officio), Cass Clay Creamery (AMPI)
- Terry Entzminger, Jamestown
- Doug Hanson (Ex Officio), Dean Foods
- Jonas Heyl, Towner
- Janal Hoff, Richardton
- Sue Kleingartner, Gackle
- Lilah Krebs, Gladstone
- Nathan Kroh (Ex Officio), ND Department of Agriculture
- Kim Ledger, Bismarck
- Denise Rohweder, Wishek
- Toby Tormaschy, Richardton
- Piet vanBedaf, Carrington
Board Officers:
- Sue Kleingartner, Chair
- Terry Entzminger, Vice Chair
- Kim Ledger, Secretary
- Lilah Krebs, Treasurer
2023 Ozarks Division
Ozarks Division Board Members
Bold indicates Corporate Board member
- Marilyn Calvin, Mt. Vernon
- Charles Coblentz, Chouteau
- Jack Dill, Conway
- Earl Dotson, Marionville
- Mark Fellwock, Monett
- Bill Haak, Gentry
- Randy Mooney, Rogersville
- Gene Morrison, West Plains
- Carrie Rantz, Spokane
- Nathan Roth, Mountain Grove
- Scott VanZyverden, Marshfield
- Craig Westfall, Halfway
Board Officers:
- Nathan Roth, Chair
- Marilyn Calvin, Vice Chair
- Carrie Rantz, Secretary
- Mark Fellwock, Treasurer
2023 South Dakota Division
South Dakota Division Board Members
Bold indicates Corporate Board member
- Jogchum Andringa, Brandt
- Tim den Dulk, Beresford
- Evan Grong (Ex Officio), Valley Queen Cheese
- Cole Hoyer, Bruce
- Maartje Lemstra, Humboldt
- Kim Maher (Ex Officio), Agropur
- Allen Merrill, Parker
- Vikram Mistry (Ex Officio), SDSU
- Doug Ode, Brandon
- Marv Post, Volga
- Hunter Roberts (Ex Officio), SD Department of Agriculture
- Annelies Seffrood, Twin Brooks
- Daniel Thyen, Waverly
- Kevin Van Winkle, Canistota
- Tom Walsh, Degraff, MN
Board Officers:
- Marv Post, Chair
- Kevin Van Winkle, Vice Chair
- Maartje Lemstra, Secretary
- Jogchum Andrenga, Treasurer