Schumacher succeeds Rick Smith, president and CEO of Dairy Farmers of America, who completed a four-year term as GDP chair. GDP has a rotating chairmanship, with FrieslandCampina providing a chair for the next four years.
Schumacher said, “I am honored to serve as chair of GDP and build on the momentum that Rick, supported by the board of directors, has established. Rick’s leadership helped strengthen GDP’s role in ensuring dairy is recognized as relevant and a vital part of a globally sustainable food system. I look forward to continuing this important work. GDP's agenda also fits in well with how FrieslandCampina views the dairy world.”
GDP is a not-for-profit industry association representing the global dairy sector. GDP membership, which includes more than 95 leading corporations, companies, associations, scientific bodies and other partners, has operations in more than 150 countries and collectively produces approximately 1/3 of all the world’s milk.