Tom Camerlo Dairyman of Year; Beckendorf to lead NMPF - Newsline

Rural Cooperatives, Jan-Feb, 2004 by Patrick Duffey

Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) Chairman Tom Camerlo Jr., a dairy farmer from Florence, Colo., was named 2003 dairyman of the year at the World Dairy Expo at Madison, Wis. "Those who initiate change and lead us in uncertain times inspire us and guarantee a bright future in the dairy industry," Expo Manager Tom McKittrick said of Camerlo.

Camerlo recently stepped down as president of the National Milk Producers Federation in Washington, D.C., to concentrate his attention on DFA. Charles Beckendorf of Tomball, Texas, also of DFA, was elected by NMPF delegates to succeed Camerlo. Beckendorf cited two major challenges facing the dairy federation: how to use dairy ingredients for the benefit of farmers and how to serve producers of every farm size.