Rick Smith

Rick was named DFA’s president and chief executive officer in 2006. Since that time, he has focused on enhancing DFA’s culture and improving the Cooperative’s core business of marketing members’ milk, paying a competitive price, demonstrating value and providing leadership. Rick’s entry in the dairy industry began in 1982, when he joined Dairylea Cooperative, Inc., as vice president and general counsel. From 1988 to 2005, he served as the chief executive officer of the Syracuse, New York-based cooperative. Prior to his employment with Dairylea, he was an attorney with Bond, Schoeneck & King in Syracuse, New York. Rick is a director on the boards of National Milk Producers Federation, National Livestock Producers Association, Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy and Global Dairy Platform.