Sinton exec will head state group

Gazette, The (Colorado Springs), Sep 30, 2004 by THE GAZETTE

Colorado Springs dairy executive Joel Midkiff will become chairman today of the Colorado Association of Commerce and Industry, the statewide chamber of commerce.

Midkiff, 56, has spent his entire 34-year career with Sinton Dairy, starting as milk route driver and later leading a management buyout. He became general manager last year after National Dairy Holdings LP bought out management and a dairy industry cooperative.

Among the top issues CACI will focus on are transportation, water storage, the state's budget crisis and health insurance availability, Midkiff said.

"We want to retain more of Colorado's water and are concerned about the restrictions constitutional amendments have placed on the flexibility of the Legislature, as well as the shifting of costs from auto insurance to health insurance," Midkiff said.

Midkiff replaces Pamela Saxton, a First Data Corp. executive who finishes her term today. Michael Quinlan, a now-retired USAA Insurance executive, was the last CACI chairman from Colorado Springs, in 2000-01.

Midkiff is a former director of Quality Chekd Dairies Inc., Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce, Pikes Peak Range Riders, the Colorado Springs chapter of the American Red Cross and the Resource Exchange.

He also served on the Colorado Highway Users' Committee.