Replacing a forty-one-year veteran and the retired CEO of American Dairy Association, Indiana will have its challenges, but filling the shoes of Deb Osza is a ten-year veteran of the dairy checkoff in Indiana, Jenni Browning. She was named the new CEO last year and is on the job now, drawing from her varied experience.
“Background is in dietetics and I’m a registered dietitian and also communications, and you would be shocked about all the different things that dairy touches in the state of Indiana,” she said. “It almost takes a year to learn everything that we do in the state and on a national level.”
It is a challenging time in the dairy industry but Browning and her staff are working to meet those challenges with fresh and creative ideas.
“There are a lot of new faces and a lot of fresh ideas and a lot of energy, so we’re ready to tackle those challenges and to work hard on behalf of dairy farmers. It energizes us and even during this challenging time we work even harder.”
Osza told HAT Browning was her choice for a successor and she is happy the ADA Indiana board agreed.
“I was hoping that she would be interested in pursing the leadership position with American Dairy Association, Indiana, and I am delighted and excited for her,” Osza said. “I’m very proud of her.”
Browning previously served as Senior Director of Communications & Wellness and as Director of Communications where she directed program partnerships between the dairy association and Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Indiana State Fair, the 500 Festival and Indianapolis Zoo, among others. She also led all ADAI communications including social media, traditional media, website, crisis and issues.
Browning, a native of Anderson, is a Ball State University graduate who received BSU’s Outstanding Alumnus Award in 2018, and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics of Indiana’s Media Award in 2016. She is a past president of the East Central Indiana Dietetic Association and the Indiana Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and has served on numerous boards of directors including Action for Healthy Kids and Kids TRI for Kids. She resides in Carmel with husband Greg and son Reed.
Indianapolis-based American Dairy Association Indiana is a not-for-profit promotion, communication and nutrition education organization funded by and serving the Hoosier state’s 900-plus dairy farm families. ADAI is affiliated with the National Dairy Council, a leader in dairy nutrition research, education and communications since 1915.
ADAI works closely with Indiana schools to implement Fuel Up to Play 60, a student-led health & wellness initiative designed to encourage healthy eating and physical activity.
Additionally, ADAI’s “Winners Drink Milk” marketing programs and various related services reach Hoosiers through social, print and radio media, special promotions and events. The Indianapolis 500 Victory Circle Bottle of Milk tradition, the Indy 500 Fastest Rookie of the Year award program, the annual Ice Cream Social on Monument Circle, and the iconic Indiana State Fair Dairy Bar represent some of the many activities sponsored or supported by ADAI.
Source: hoosieragtoday.com
