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About NCCIA
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About Us


NCCIA is a non-profit trade organization whose mission is to advance the knowledge of its members by providing opportunities to interact with experts in the industry and learn technical aspects of the cheese industry. Governed by a volunteer board of 15 individuals who are active in the cheese business; assisted by advisors from academic institutions and government and state regulatory agencies.
 

History


NCCIA was established in 1951 to encourage the improvement in quality cheese, to further the professional interests of cheese makers and to promote the welfare of the cheese industry.

 

2026 Executive Board Members

President

Ryan Nielsen - Wapsie Valley

Vice President

Troy Gascoigne - Proliant Dairy

Executive Secretary

Prafulla Salunke, South Dakota State University

Board Members:
Graham Archer, Tetra Pak Inc.
Makayla Arendt, Prairie Farms
Austin Asche, Valley Queen
Holly Bode, Ecolab
Ashley Engel, First District Association
Duncan Jochimsen, Actus Nutrition
Kevin Kral, Agropur
Mithcell Kunkel, Stickney Hill Dairy
Nicole Nogeais, IFF Food & Biosciences
Nick Paris, Land O’Lakes
Matthew Siedschlaw, SD Department of Ag & Natural Resources
Christian Streckfuss, Novonesis
Jason Thompson, Bongards
RJ Twiford, Membrane System Specialists
Kevin Van Ornum, Nelson-Jameson
Steve Voss, AMPI

Academic Advisors:
Jayendra Amamcharla, University of Minnesota
Ahmed Hammam, Kansas State University
Dylan Liu, Iowa State University
Londa Nwadike, South Dakota State University
PC Vasavada, University of Wisconsin - River Falls