California Dairies Inc. (CDI) welcomes David Camp to its executive team as senior vice president and CFO. Camp, a certified public accountant, will be responsible for the financial, accounting, treasury, information technology and risk management functions within CDI.

Ray Prock Jr., a dairyman from Denair, California, has been named the Holstein Foundation’s 2014 Young Dairy Leaders Institute (YDLI) Distinguished Alumni Leader Award recipient. The foundation recognizes one YDLI alum annually who has made notable contributions and utilized skills gained during their YDLI experience for the betterment of the dairy industry. Prock was a graduate of YDLI Class 5.

• Paul Ekstein of Woodbridge, Ontario, Canada, was selected by the Klussendorf Association as the fifth recipient of the Robert “Whitey” McKown Master Breeder Award, which recognizes a well-managed breeder herd that has been successful at showing and judging and emphasizes all qualities of the Klussendorf Award, including ability, character, endeavor and sportsmanship.

Dr. Vicky Lauer Professional Services Veterinarian Beaver Dam, Wisconsin ANIMART Inc.

Nicole Reese Executive Director
 Janesville, Wisconsin
 Southern Wisconsin Agricultural Group

Rick M. Adams District Sales Manager Columbia, Missouri Accelerated Genetics

Dr. Neil Michael has built his career on improving dairy cow reproduction and nutrition, and in his new role as president of the Dairy Cattle Reproduction Council, he looks forward to continuing the organization’s efforts to translate scientific research into applied solutions at the farm level.

The following individuals were among the finalists selected last year for the 40 Under 40 in Agriculture Awards. More than 200 individuals were nominated for the award, and the winners were chosen based on their leadership and commitment to advancing the cause to double food production by 2050. We asked a few of the winners who have ties to the dairy industry to talk about their current work and their thoughts on global milk and food production at the start of 2014.