The Dairy Alliance Team
Board of Directors
Michael Ferguson
President
Tate County, Mississippi
Michael Ferguson is a farmer from Tate County, Mississippi, where he and his wife Jill milk more than 100 cows each day and raise beef cattle.
Roddy Purser
Vice President
Cabarrus County, North Carolina
Roddy Purser is a farmer from Cabarrus County, North Carolina.
Ken Smith
Treasurer
Fauquier County, Virginia
Ken Smith is a fourth-generation farmer from Fauquier County, Virginia. Ken, alongside his family, milks 980 Holstein cows and farms 2,500 acres of corn and soybeans. The family cares for an additional 1,300 young stock cattle. In 2013, the Smith family opened Moo Thru, a retail store where the Smith family's ice cream and milk are sold.
Maxie Aker
Secretary
Wythe County, Virginia
Maxie Aker is a dairy farmer from Wythe County, Virginia.
Directors
Johnny Sparkman, Tennessee
Chris Huffman, Kentucky
Ted Trotter, Tennessee
Brendon Eberly, Georgia
Cameron Eaker, North Carolina
Joe Bratcher, Kentucky
Kelly Obert, Indiana
Pete Gelber, Georgia
Kevin Satterwhite, South Carolina
Cecelia Moyer, Virginia
Steve Lee, Tennessee
Richie Traylor, Alabama
Brian Flowers, Tennessee
Jennifer Leech, Virginia
Tammy Craun, Virginia
Matthew Johnson, North Carolina
Jennifer Glover, Georgia
Leadership Team
Geri Berdak
CEO
Geri Berdak is known for delivering strategic growth for organizations, consumer packaged goods businesses and ingredient companies in the wellness market. Berdak has a Master of Business Administration from the New York Institute of Technology and a Bachelor of Science in Food & Nutrition from Missouri State University. Growing up in the Midwest and coming from a hog and crop farm family, Berdak is rooted in food and agriculture. Her professional experience spans decades in the food and beverage industry including senior marketing and business leadership roles with Isagenix, PepsiCo, DuPont Health and Nutrition, Kerry Ingredients, Monsanto and serving as Senior VP, Nutrition Strategy and Business Development with the U.S. Dairy Innovation Center at Dairy Management Inc.
Jill Henderson, RD, SNS
Chief Operating Officer | VP, Health & Wellness
Jill Henderson joined The Dairy Alliance in March 2006. Managing staff across an eight-state region as Director of Youth Wellness, Jill was responsible for the Southeast administration of Fuel Up to Play 60, the nation’s largest in-school health and wellness program, as well as all other K-12 school dairy promotion programs in the region. Born and raised in Virginia, Jill earned a human nutrition and foods degree from Virginia Tech. During her career as a registered dietitian, Jill has held positions in clinical nutrition as well as sales and marketing management in healthcare and nutrition-based companies. Jill is a member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, the Virginia Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the School Nutrition Association. She also holds the credential of School Nutrition Specialist.
Barbara Sims
Chief Financial Officer | VP, Administration
Barbara Sims has worked with The Dairy Alliance for more than 30 years. Barbara has an Associate of Arts degree in Marketing and a Bachelor’s degree in Business Finance. Her roles at The Dairy Alliance include human resource benefits, payroll, budgeting, finance and administrative operations.
Debbie Beans, MS, RDN, LDN
VP of Dairy Transformation
Debbie joined The Dairy Alliance in 2011 as a part of the Youth Wellness team. She serves as VP of Dairy Transformation, overseeing the development of new programs and strategic plans while coordinating research and pilot projects. She has a Master’s degree in Animal and Food Science and a bachelor of science degree in Nutritional Sciences from the University of Vermont.
Farrah Newberry
VP of Agriculture and Environmental Affairs
Farrah is no stranger to agriculture or the dairy community, both in Georgia and around the Southeast. She’s been working on behalf of Georgia dairy farm families for the last 20+ years as the Executive Director for Georgia Milk Producers. Farrah is a graduate of the University of Georgia and continues to serve as the President of the Agricultural Economics Association of Georgia.
Joanne Engelhardt-Risko
VP, Strategic Marketing
Before joining The Dairy Alliance in 2023 as VP of Strategic Marketing, Joanne worked in brand repositioning, consumer research, new product development and driving consumer engagement. Based in North Carolina, she leads The Dairy Alliance’s marketing strategies driving demand for fluid milk and dairy in the Southeast region.
Laura Buxenbaum, MPH, RDN, LDN
Senior Director, Health & Wellness
Laura joined The Dairy Alliance team in March 2004. She conducts television, radio and print interviews regarding nutrition throughout the Southeast region, educating the public on the importance of a balanced diet. She received her Master of Public Health at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill.