Allen Merrill, Chair
Allen Merrill, of Merrill Farms, Inc. in Parker, South Dakota, is the chair of Midwest Dairy. He farms with his father and son and is pursuing a new business plan for his operation that includes off-farm investments in milking cows with other dairies. He also raises heifers for his farm and for others, and grows corn, soybeans, alfalfa, and oats.
Merrill plays a prominent role in in the dairy industry. In addition to serving as Midwest Dairy chair, he is as an officer on the Midwest Dairy South Dakota division board and serves in leadership positions on the United Dairy Industry Association and Dairy Management Inc. boards. He also sits on the South Dakota Dairy Producers board and Dairy Farmers of America Central Area Council.
Merrill supports his community by providing dairy cattle for non-farm children in 4-H to show at the county fair, as well as volunteering his time to FFA projects. He is passionate about the School Breakfast Program and ensuring all students have access to healthy meals.
Merrill is married to his wife, Kristi, and they have two children.
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 19 years of dairy history. Her proven experience in developing programs and resources comes at an exciting time 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 60 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 2022
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 Allen Merrill, Chair; Charles Krause, First Vice Chair; Dan Hotvedt, Second Vice Chair; Rita Young, Secretary; and Barb Liebenstein, Treasurer.
Division Board Leadership
Midwest Dairy has 8 Division boards with leaders representing the farmers in their areas.
2022 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
- Brent Mueller, Garden Prairie
- Craig Meng, Freeburg
- Glen Meier, Ridott
- Steve Obert, Orangeville
- Toby Probst, Wheeler
Board Officers:
Bill Deutsch, Chair
Brent Mueller, Vice Chair
Amy Hildebrandt, Secretary
Glen Meier, Treasurer
2022 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
- Fred Hall (Ex Officio), ISU
- Robert Horst, Bristow
- Dan Hotvedt, Decorah
- Patrick Jones, Spencer
- Lee Maassen, Maurice
- Dennis Mashek, Calmer
- Anthony Nunes, Sibley
- Matt Schelling, Orange City
- Jonna Schutte, Monona
- Larry Shover, Delhi
- Madison Skubal, Wayland
- Anna Wilson, Garnavillo
Board officers:
Dan Hotvedt, Chair
Lee Maassen, Vice Chair
Jonna Schutte, Secretary
Larry Shover, Treasurer
2022 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
- Tom Walsh (Ex Officio), DeGraff
- Rita Young, Plainview
Board officers:
Kristine Spadgenske, Chair
Kate McAndrews, Vice Chair
Rita Young, Secretary
Suzanne Vold, Treasurer
2022 Mo-Kan Division board
Mo-Kan Division Board Members
Bold indicates Corporate Board member
- Alfred Brandt, Linn
- Amy Dudeck, Cosby
- Lynda Foster, Fort Scott
- Brian Haverkamp, Seneca
- Chris Heins, Higginsville
- Byron Lehman, Newton
- Orville Miller, (Ex Officio to Corporate Board), Hutchinson
- Tom Oelrichs, Mora
- Steve Ohlde, Linn
- Alex Peterson, Trenton
- Robert Riegel, Washington
- 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
2022 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
2022 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
- Toby Tormaschy, Richardton
- Piet vanBedaf, Carrington
Board officers:
Sue Kleingartner, Chair
Terry Entzminger, Vice Chair
Kim Ledger, Secretary
Lilah Krebs, Treasurer
2022 Ozarks Division
Ozarks Division Board Members
Bold indicates Corporate Board member
- Ryan Anglin, Bentonville
- Marilyn Calvin, Mt. Vernon
- Charles Coblentz, Chouteau
- Jack Dill, Conway
- Earl Dotson, Marionville
- Mark Fellwock, Monett
- Randy Mooney, Rogersville
- Gene Morrison, West Plains
- Carrie Rantz, Spokane
- Nathan Roth, Mountain Grove
- Scott VanZyverden, Niangua
- Craig Westfall, Halfway
Board officers:
Nathan Roth, Chair
Marilyn Calvin, Vice Chair
Carrie Rantz, Secretary
Mark Fellwock, Treasurer
2022 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, Estelline
- Gary Jarding, Alexandria
- Kim Maher (Ex Officio), Agropur
- Allen Merrill, Parker
- Vikram Mistry, Ph.D. (Ex Officio), SDSU
- Jim Neugebauer, Dimock
- Doug Ode, Brandon
- Marv Post, Volga
- Hunter Roberts (Ex Officio), SD Department of Agriculture
- Annelies Seffrood, Summit
- Daniel Thyen, Waverly
- Kevin VanWinkle, Canistota
Board officers:
Jim Neugebauer, Chair
Annelies Seffrood, Vice Chair
Dan Thyen, Secretary
Jogchum Andrenga, Treasurer