Contact: Peggy Armstrong
parmstrong@idfa.org
(202) 220-3508

(Washington, D.C. - January 21, 2011) The International Dairy Foods Association has named Chelsee M. Woodey to fill the position of director of legislative affairs. In this role, Woodey will assist with policy development and legislative strategy while serving as an advocate for IDFA and the dairy industry before members of Congress and their staff.

Prior to joining IDFA, Woodey served the Commonwealth of Kentucky for five years as a legislative aide to Senator Jim Bunning (R-KY). She advised the senator on agriculture policy, including nutrition and food safety issues, as well as energy, environmental, foreign affairs and defense policies.

"The next year or two will be critical for the future of dairy policy, and IDFA will surely benefit from Chelsee's experience working on the Hill," said Jerry Slominski, IDFA senior vice president of legislative affairs and economic policy. "We're pleased to have her join our legislative team as we tackle these policy challenges and work to deliver meaningful accomplishments to our members."

A graduate of the University of Richmond, Woodey earned her bachelor's degree in world politics and diplomacy and music performance. She also served as a page to the U.S. House of Representatives during the 106th Congress.

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The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), Washington, D.C., represents the nation's dairy manufacturing and marketing industries and their suppliers, with a membership of 550 companies representing a $110-billion a year industry. IDFA is composed of three constituent organizations: the Milk Industry Foundation (MIF), the National Cheese Institute (NCI) and the International Ice Cream Association (IICA). IDFA's 220 dairy processing members run more than 600 plant operations, and range from large multi-national organizations to single-plant companies. Together they represent more than 85 percent of the milk, cultured products, cheese and frozen desserts produced and marketed in the United States.