SAN ANTONIO, Jan. 29, 2025—The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) today recognized the extraordinary leadership of Mike Durkin, recently retired President and CEO of Leprino Foods Company, and Tim Galloway, retired CEO and current Chairman of Galloway Company, with the IDFA Laureate Award during the association’s annual Dairy Forum. Now in its sixth year, the IDFA Laureate Award is given to leaders in the dairy industry who have made significant, prolonged contributions to the development and growth of dairy. Candidates from across the dairy industry as well as suppliers and academics are eligible, and the awardee is chosen by a panel of industry professionals.

“Mike Durkin and Tim Galloway exemplify the finest attributes of the dairy industry—unwavering leadership, a commitment to innovation, the highest character, and a deep commitment to family and the family businesses that make this industry great,” said Michael Dykes, D.V.M., IDFA president and CEO. “IDFA is pleased to honor Mike and Tim with the IDFA Laureate Award, our association’s highest honor, and we thank them for their legacy of leadership.”

"I am deeply grateful and honored to receive the IDFA Laureate Award,” said Durkin. “For decades, the dairy industry has worked tirelessly to drive innovation, develop new products and expand market opportunities. Through the steadfast partnership between the industry, dairy processors and dairy farmers, we’ve delivered nutritious and sustainable dairy foods, fueled economic growth and strengthened communities across the nation. It’s been a true privilege to contribute to this vital work, and I am extremely humbled to be recognized by my peers with this prestigious award."

Durkin recently retired as President and Chief Executive Officer of Leprino Foods Company, a role he held since 2014, and will continue to serve as a valued member of the company’s board of directors. He joined Leprino in 2011 and quickly became a driving force in shaping the company’s strategic vision. During his tenure as president and CEO, he oversaw the company’s overall management, spearheaded significant improvements in employee engagement, and guided transformative initiatives that advanced Leprino’s industry leadership. Prior to his time at Leprino, Durkin had a distinguished career with PepsiCo, Inc., ultimately serving as President of North America Field Operations for Pepsi Beverages. He most recently served as Vice Chair and Executive Committee member of IDFA and was previously a member of IDFA’s Cheese and Ingredients Boards, as well as a member of the Global Dairy Platform’s Global Dairy Board, and Chair of the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy.

“It is humbling to receive this honor, which reflects the contributions of so many,” said Galloway. “I am grateful to my wife, children, and third generation family members who have supported me, my teammates who have driven the business to outstanding accomplishments and of course to Grandpa Ed and his three sons, who are the shoulders we stand on. I’m so excited to see where the fourth generation will take us. Finally, I am thankful to my IDFA family who have shared technical knowledge, advice and encouragement in lobbying and Federal Order hearings, and opportunities for friendships with so many great dairy folks throughout the country.”

Tim Galloway recently retired as CEO of Galloway Company, a position he held since 2000; he continues to serve as the company’s Chairman of the Board. Galloway Company is a third generation owned and managed processor of concentrated fluid dairy blends for further food and beverage processing. It is the largest manufacturer of sweetened condensed milk for the confectionary, bakery, ice cream topping and variegate, and pumpable syrup industries. Galloway is also the largest producer of alcoholic and non-alcoholic dairy beverage bases for further processing and bottling. It is also a leading manufacturer of various ice cream mixes for the quick service restaurant and upscale scoopable dairy dessert trade which are distributed nationwide. Born and raised in Neenah, Wisc., Tim is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame and received a J.D. from Santa Clara University. He has worked for the family business since 1972, rising from summers as general labor, to sales, to president in 1989, and then to CEO in 2000.  He served as Chair of the Member Board of Classic Mix Partners LLC from 1997-2010 which is now a wholly owned business unit of Galloway Company. Tim is proud to work with his two brothers, daughter, cousin, as well as the rest of the professional Galloway team. He lives in Neenah with his wife Siv Lindgren and they have three grown children.

Previous recipients of the IDFA Laureate Award are: Ricky Dickson, former CEO and president of Blue Bell Creameries (2024); Jim Sartori, chairman and CEO of Sartori Company (2023); Larry Webster, CEO of Upstate Niagara Cooperative (2023); Ed Mullins, senior executive officer of Prairie Farms Dairy, Inc. (2022); Dan Zagzebski, president and CEO of Great Lakes Cheese (2022); Sue Taylor, vice president of dairy economics and policy for Leprino Foods Company (2021); and Andrei Mikhalevsky, former president and CEO of California Dairies, Inc. (2020).

A call for nominations for the 2026 IDFA Laureate Award will be released this summer. More information about the award can be found here.

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Contcat: press@idfa.org

The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), Washington, D.C., represents the nation’s dairy manufacturing and marketing industry, which supports more than 3.2 million jobs that generate $49 billion in direct wages and $794 billion in overall economic impact. IDFA’s diverse membership ranges from multinational organizations to single-plant companies, from dairy companies and cooperatives to food retailers and suppliers, all on the cutting edge of innovation and sustainable business practices. Together, they represent most of the milk, cheese, ice cream, yogurt and cultured products, and dairy ingredients produced and marketed in the United States and sold throughout the world. Delicious, safe and nutritious, dairy foods offer unparalleled health and consumer benefits to people of all ages.