10 Dairy Farmers of America operations leaders
Karen Cartier, Chief Operating Officer, Northeast Area at Dairy Farmers of America, leads this list of Dairy Farmers of America operations leaders, who also include vice presidents of operations and of area operations. A reader can learn how operations leaders work at Dairy Farmers of America from people who have held the role.
Professionals to explore
Ashley Ellixson
LinkedInExperience: Vice President Operations · Dairy Farmers of America
Ashley Ellixson has been Vice President Operations at Dairy Farmers of America since October 2025 and VP, Milk Marketing & Operations, Western Fluid Area there since March 2026. Ashley Ellixson was Chief Commercial Officer at United Dairymen of Arizona from 2023 to 2024, and the profile headline describes Ashley Ellixson as a dairy industry executive.
Bill Cummings
LinkedInExperience: Vice President, Northeast Area Operations · Dairy Farmers of America
Bill Cummings has been Vice President, Northeast Area Operations at Dairy Farmers of America since January 2018, based in East Syracuse, New York. Bill Cummings was Chief Operating Officer at the company from 2014 to 2018 and Director of Contract Transportation and Hauling there from 2009 to 2014.
Corey Gillins
LinkedInExperience: Chief Operating Officer, Mountain Area · Dairy Farmers of America
Corey Gillins has been Chief Operating Officer, Mountain Area at Dairy Farmers of America since February 2019, based in Bountiful, Utah, and also lists a current Director of Marketing and Operations role at the company dating from 2014. Corey Gillins was General Manager at Big Island Dairy LLC from 2012 to 2014.
Frank Dembia
LinkedInExperience: Sr. Director of Operations · Dairy Farmers of America
Frank Dembia was Sr. Director of Operations at Dairy Farmers of America from September 2022 to February 2025 and Director of Operations, Ingredients Solutions there from 2009 to 2021. Frank Dembia has been Vice President Operations at Diversified Foods and Seasonings, LLC since January 2026, based in Annapolis, Maryland.
Jessica Meddaugh
LinkedInExperience: Vice President of Operations · Dairy Farmers of America (acquired W&W Dairy, LLC)
Jessica Meddaugh has been Vice President of Operations at Dairy Farmers of America (acquired W&W Dairy, LLC) since July 2024, based in Hollandale, Wisconsin. Jessica Meddaugh also lists Plant Manager and Quality Assurance Manager roles at W&W Dairy (Acquired by Dairy Farmers of America) dating from 2020 and 2019, and the profile describes Jessica Meddaugh as a manufacturing leader.
Jill Waite
LinkedInExperience: Vice President Operations · Dairy Farmers of America
Jill Waite has been Vice President Operations at Dairy Farmers of America since April 2023, based in Fort Collins, Colorado. Jill Waite was Director, Membership & Marketing at the company from 2020 to 2023 and Member Services Manager there from 2017 to 2020.
Joe May
LinkedInExperience: Vice President Operations · Dairy Farmers of America
Joe May was Vice President Operations at Dairy Farmers of America from June 2022 to May 2026 and Senior Director of Operations there from 2020 to 2022. Joe May has been Vice President of Manufacturing at Walmart since May 2026, based in Bentonville, Arkansas, and was Senior Director of Operations at Dean Foods from 2017 to 2020.
Karen Cartier
LinkedInExperience: Chief Operating Officer, Northeast Area · Dairy Farmers of America
Karen Cartier has been Chief Operating Officer, Northeast Area at Dairy Farmers of America since January 2025, based in Syracuse, New York. Karen Cartier was Vice President, Northeast Area Operations at the company from 2023 to 2025 and Sr. Director, Membership there from 2013 to 2025.
Ryan Richter
LinkedInExperience: Vice President Operations · Dairy Farmers of America
Ryan Richter has been Vice President Operations at Dairy Farmers of America since May 2026, based in Greater St. Louis. Ryan Richter was Vice President Operations at Post Consumer Brands from 2023 to 2026, Vice President of Manufacturing at Ontex from 2021 to 2023 and Senior Director of Operations at TreeHouse Foods from 2019 to 2021.
Wayne Swearingen
LinkedInExperience: Vice President Operations · Dairy Farmers of America
Wayne Swearingen was Vice President Operations at Dairy Farmers of America from July 2023 to February 2026 and Senior Director Of Operations there from 2017 to 2022. Wayne Swearingen has been Vice President of Manufacturing at Hilmar since February 2026, based in the Kansas City Metropolitan Area.
Choose the right perspective
Match the person's scope, such as one plant, a business unit or a whole area, to the decision you face. Check whether the operations role is current or ended to judge how recent their view is.
Questions to take into the conversation
- 01What did you change first when you took on your operations role, and why?
- 02How do you decide which plant problems need your attention and which site leaders should own?
- 03What has your own operations work taught you that you would share with someone stepping into a similar role?
Reaching Dairy Farmers of America operations leaders
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About this directory
This is a professional research starting point based on business profile data retrieved on . Titles and companies reflect that source snapshot; roles marked former had ended by then. Check the linked profiles for current details. Inclusion does not imply Instant Expert membership or availability.
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