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Darigold Inc. has named interim CEO Allan Huttema as its permanent leader, the dairy co-op announced Wednesday.
Huttema assumed the interim role in December, after former CEO Joe Coote stepped down and moved back to Australia with his family.
"When the board asked me late last year if I would serve as Interim CEO, I said I would do it," Huttema said in a news release. "As a dairy farmer myself, I know how important it is to have successful and vibrant Darigold to serve as the marketing and processing arm of our co-op."
Founded in 1918, Darigold is one of the region's largest family-owned businesses and nation's largest dairy producers. In 2023, the co-op reported revenue of more than $3 billion.
| Rank | Prior Rank | Company name (prior rank) |
|---|---|---|
1 | 1 | Saltchuk Resources |
2 | 2 | Zones LLC |
3 | 3 | Darigold Inc. |
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The Seattle-based co-op operates 11 plants throughout the Northwest and a recently opened second office in Boise, Idaho, with a 12th plant nearing completion in Pasco.
Darigold has also recently hired presidents for its business-to-consumer and business-to-business divisions.
"We are at an important time in Darigold's evolution as we near completion of a new processing facility in Central Washington, the largest investment in our co-op's 105-year history, and continue to recover from economic challenges over the last couple of years," Board Chairman Tony Freeman said.
Huttema, an Idaho-based dairy farmer, is one of Darigold's 300 farmer-owners and has served on its board for 10 years.
