USA – California Dairies, Inc. has announced that its president and chief executive officer, Brad Anderson, will retire at the end of 2025.
The cooperative’s board of directors has selected chief operating officer Rob Vandenheuvel as Anderson’s successor, with his appointment set to take effect on January 1, 2026.
The company credited Anderson with driving transformation within CDI and the broader dairy industry.
According to CDI, his tenure was marked by significant advancements, including the expansion of product lines and the construction of a new processing facility in Bakersfield, California.
Under his leadership, the cooperative introduced lactoferrin production and expanded into ultra-high temperature and extended shelf-life dairy products.
California Dairies chairman Cory Vanderham acknowledged Anderson’s contributions, emphasizing the lasting impact of his leadership.
“Brad’s legacy is one of transformation,” Vanderham said. “He inspired a culture of innovation that led to the expansion of product lines, including lactoferrin and our Valley Natural Beverages UHT and ESL production facility. We are grateful for his leadership.”
Anderson joined CDI in 2018 as chief operating officer before being promoted to president and CEO in 2020.
During his tenure, the cooperative restructured its operations into global business groups to better serve domestic and international markets.
In addition to his role at CDI, Anderson has been involved with organizations such as the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy, the National Milk Producers Federation, and the U.S. Dairy Export Council.
He has also chaired the Innovation Center’s Stewardship Commitment Taskforce and CEO Taskforce on Greenhouse Gas Reporting.
As CDI prepares for the transition, the company reported that Anderson will work closely with Vandenheuvel over the next year.
Vandenheuvel, who has been with CDI since 2017, has held leadership roles in member and industry relations, supply chain, operations, and sales.
The cooperative highlighted his consistent leadership and his ability to drive strategic initiatives that benefit both members and customers.
Reflecting on his new role, Vandenheuvel expressed appreciation for the opportunity to lead the cooperative.
“I am deeply honored to be entrusted with the leadership of this incredible cooperative,” he said. “I’m excited to build upon the strong foundation laid by Brad and work alongside our dedicated team to serve our members and customers.”
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