The Pennsylvania Dairymen’s Association has announced a search for a new executive director due to the upcoming retirement of its current Executive Director Dave Smith. The PA Dairymen’s Association is an innovative and leading statewide non-profit association, known for serving its legendary milkshakes, being a leading dairy advocate, and for providing nearly $6 million in financial support over the past eleven years to the Pennsylvania dairy industry, charitable causes, and communities throughout the state.
According to Glenn Gorrell, President of the PA Dairymen’s Association, the decision is a strategic component of a long-term succession plan. This initiative comes in anticipation of the future retirement of Dave Smith, who has admirably served as the executive director for more than three decades. Gorrell is also spearheading the search for a new executive director to ensure a smooth transition for the organization.
Gorrell applauded Smith, saying, “Dave Smith has driven incredible growth, developed innovative partnerships, favorably positioned our famous milkshakes and established a successful mobile milkshake truck business that delivers milkshake smiles to thousands of fans annually while giving back. He has diligently served as a visionary leader for the Pennsylvania Dairymen’s Association for 30 years. We are truly grateful for Dave’s commitment, leadership, marketing initiatives, and dedication as well as for his advocacy on behalf of the entire dairy industry,” Gorrell said, adding that Smith will continue in an advisory capacity, after his successor is chosen.
The PA Dairymen’s Association is best known for its popular milkshakes served at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and at many festivals, fairs, schools, and community events throughout the year. The well-liked brand has helped the Association support next-generation dairy farmer programs, such as the Pennsylvania Dairy Princess Program, Future Farmers of America, youth scholarships, and internships that help the next generation of agriculturalists hone their skills and advance their education. The Association has also provided several hundred thousand dollars to Pennsylvania dairy farm families to support business and transition planning consulting, and much more. With every shake supporting a cause, the PA Dairymen’s Association has supported a wide range of philanthropic endeavors, including the prevention of hunger.
Gorrell added that the goal is to have the new Executive Director work side-by-side with Smith for a period of assimilation. Gorrell said it is impossible to capture Smith’s three decades of expertise, knowledge and contributions made as Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Dairymen’s Association. Therefore, Smith has agreed to continue as an advisor to the organization and new leader, once onboard.
“The list of Dave’s accomplishments is long – he cultivated the Dairymen’s milkshake into a highly recognizable, sought-after brand and fan favorite. He spearheaded efforts to grow relationships and partnerships with businesses, media, the agriculture community and the charitable food system. Growth of the brand and sales has led to significant funding to support agricultural and dairy interests in the commonwealth and far beyond. As a passionate supporter of dairy farm families, he has been at the forefront of the efforts to allow school children access to whole milk,” Gorrell mentioned.
Ten years ago, Smith and the Association partnered with several other organizations and Feeding Pennsylvania to create the Fill a Glass with Hope® fundraising program. This successful and first-ever statewide charitable program of its kind in the nation, provides fresh milk to food-insecure children and adults in Pennsylvania. To date, Fill a Glass with Hope® has raised enough money to provide more than 46 million servings of milk to Pennsylvania families through Feeding PA food banks across the state.
In 2019, Smith planned and led a dairy farmer-lawmaker rally with the participation of Congressional leaders at the Pennsylvania’s State Capitol in Harrisburg which grew momentum for federal legislative reform, allowing children access to whole milk in schools. This major collective effort led to the bipartisan Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2025, recently passed by Congress. The Act allows schools to once again offer a variety of milk options, including whole, flavored, and 2% milk.
“Leading the PA Dairymen’s Association has been both a privilege and an honor. I’m extremely proud of the amazing opportunities I’ve experienced and proud of all our team has accomplished. It’s been a privilege to generate support for and promote our hard‑working dairy farm families—who provide the quality dairy products we all enjoy, All of this has been a lifelong mission of mine which is extremely rewarding. One of the best parts of my job has been spreading those milkshake smiles to so many people of all ages everywhere,” he added.
Smith said he looks forward to working closely with the new executive director and in creating a smooth transition to help take the Association into future years of great success. Smith will still be onboard for the 2026 PA Farm Show greeting milkshake fans, overseeing operations and dishing out dairy favorites.
“Our Pennsylvania dairy farm families work tirelessly—365 days a year and through every kind of weather—to care for their livestock and produce the high-quality, nutritious and delicious dairy products we all enjoy. Their dedication and compassion don’t go unnoticed, and I’m deeply grateful for all they do. And I’m extremely proud to be part of a fifth-generation family farm in the Commonwealth. I am truly looking forward to the 2026 PA Farm Show where we get to see so many attendees enjoying all our delicious dairy treats plus meet some of our state’s dairy farmers and their animals.”
To search for the Executive Director position, the Pennsylvania Dairymen’s Association has retained Kincannon and Reed. For more information about this position, please contact:
Julie Kanak
Managing Director
Kincannon and Reed
[email protected]
www.krsearch.com