Wisconsin Ag Connection - Welch Hired as New CEO of AMPI

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Welch Hired as New CEO of AMPI
Wisconsin Ag Connection - 09/16/2008

The Minnesota-based Associated Milk Producers Inc. has named Ed Welch as the cooperative's new president and chief executive officer. The Wisconsin native has been serving as AMPI's COO, and has held various leadership positions with the co-op during the past 25 years, including management responsibilities with AMPI cheese manufacturing plants and member services in western Wisconsin.

"The AMPI Board of Directors searched for an effective leader to take the helm of AMPI. We found that leader in longtime AMPI employee Ed Welch," said AMPI Chairman of the Board Paul Toft, a dairy producer from Rice Lake. "AMPI's dedication to dairy farmers and our reputation in the dairy industry will continue to grow under Ed's leadership. He understands the AMPI vision and the cooperative foundation on which we are built."

"I would like to thank the board for its confidence and the opportunity to lead this cooperative," Welch said. "I look forward to working with the board, members, our management team and employees as we guide AMPI into the future."

Welch has a bachelor's degree from the University of Minnesota. He is currently a member of the American Dairy Products Institute Board of Directors and a past president of the Wisconsin Dairy Products Association.

He succeeds Mark Furth, who is retiring after 38 years with AMPI. Welch begins his new responsibilities on October 1.

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