American Dairy Goat Association is pleased to announce the hiring of their first Executive Director, Lance Gerlach.

“I am excited to be joining the ADGA team and look forward to the opportunity to meet as many of you as I can,” Lance said. He energetically expresses his desire to “work together to advance the Association into the future.”

Lance grew up in Central Ohio on a U-Pick blueberry farm. They raised many kinds of animals, but the primary livestock were sheep. Completing high school, he went on to major in business at The Ohio State University.

While in college, Lance started work as a Territory Sales Manager with United Dairy Farmers based in Cincinnati. A few years later he became a Key Account Manager with the Reiter Dairy Ice Cream division.

Fast forward a few years – Lance started a business called “Champion Caliber Fundraising.” As the Owner/President, he raised funds for schools and other non-profit organizations.

Lance and his wife Carrie, married 14 years, live in Clemmons, North Carolina where they moved five years ago. Their son Byrcen is 12 and daughter Teagan is six. Until being hired by ADGA, Lance has been a Senior Field Sales Supervisor for PET Dairy – Dairy Farmers of America.

Sharing his plans for the future, Lance recently commented, “Learning the business of the ADGA and how I can help invest in the great farmers, members, and employees will always be on the top of my priority list.  My goals include bringing added value while helping run the day-to-day operations, as well as having a clear vision of the big picture.”

ADGA extends a warm welcome to Lance who will be starting his new role May 10, 2021.