Amy Humphreys is set to make her return as CEO of the US dairy cooperative Darigold. Having previously served as CFO from 2015 to 2018, she brings valuable experience back to the organization.
Her new role within the marketing and processing division of the farmer-owned Northwest Dairy Association (NDA) will commence on October 1. Humphreys succeeds Allan Huttema, who successfully guided the company through a significant transition beginning in 2023. Huttema was initially appointed as interim CEO in December 2023 following Joe Coote’s departure and was confirmed as CEO in April 2024. He will now return to his Idaho dairy farm as a member-owner of the NDA.
Tim Kuenzi, chairman of Darigold’s board and an NDA member from Oregon, remarked, “Allan stepped in at a critical time, and we made some significant progress under his leadership – including the establishment of Pasco, improvement of operations, and enhancement of our already strong leadership team.” As Humphreys takes the helm, Darigold is simultaneously launching its 12th production facility in Pasco, Washington.
In addition to her previous tenure at Darigold, Humphreys has held executive roles across various sectors, including food manufacturing and petroleum. Her leadership experience includes serving as president and CEO of Icicle Seafoods from 2013 to 2015 and president of Delta Western from 2009 to 2012. Moreover, she boasts an extensive board presence, having held chairman and director positions at Premera Blue Cross, FirstFruits Farms (since 2019), and American Seafoods (2015-2023). She has also been a member of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco’s Economic Advisory Council since 2021.
Commenting on Humphreys’ appointment, Kuenzi stated, “Amy brings a proven track record in leadership with vertically integrated food businesses like Darigold and a keen focus on business performance, responsible and sustainable resource management, value expansion, and business transformation – all critical skills as Darigold continues our transformation aimed at modernization and growth.”
Darigold, a key player in the food and beverage industry, processes approximately ten billion pounds of milk annually, offering a diverse range of dairy products that cater to retail, foodservice, and commodity markets.
