WASHINGTON, May 15, 2026—Michael Dykes, D.V.M., president and CEO of the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) recently announced his plans to retire at the end of 2026, concluding a decade of leadership marked by significant industry growth, policy achievements, and organizational transformation. IDFA’s Executive Council officer group is forming a committee to support the process for selecting the association’s next president and CEO while Dykes continues to serve in his role through the end of 2026 to support a smooth and thoughtful leadership transition.
“Michael has been a transformational leader for IDFA and for the U.S. dairy industry,” said Daragh Maccabee, chair of the IDFA Executive Council. “Over the past decade, he has strengthened IDFA’s credibility, expanded its influence, and helped position the association and the dairy industry for long-term success. Under his leadership, IDFA has built one of the strongest advocacy teams in Washington, strengthened its financial position, expanded industry engagement across the supply chain, and helped deliver extraordinary momentum for dairy both domestically and globally. The organization is exceptionally well positioned for the future.”
“It has been the privilege of a lifetime to serve America’s dairy industry and to lead this outstanding organization,” said Dykes. “Together, our members, board leaders, and talented team have strengthened dairy’s voice, expanded opportunities for our industry, and positioned dairy as an essential part of America’s future. I have never been more optimistic about the trajectory of the U.S. dairy industry or the strength of IDFA heading into the next decade.”
Dykes joined IDFA in 2017 and has led the association through one of the most consequential and transformative periods in modern dairy history. Under his leadership, IDFA expanded its membership and strengthened its governance structure to better unite the full dairy supply chain and advocate more effectively on behalf of the industry. During his tenure, the association significantly expanded its influence in Washington, strengthened dairy’s role in nutrition and health policy, enhanced global trade engagement, and positioned the industry for long-term growth and competitiveness.
Most recently, under Dykes’ leadership, the dairy industry secured landmark outcomes in the 2025–2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans reaffirming dairy as a core food group and recognizing dairy foods at every fat level as part of healthy dietary patterns. IDFA also helped lead bipartisan passage of the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, restoring whole and reduced-fat milk options in schools and expanding choice for students and families nationwide.
During Dykes’ tenure, IDFA also significantly expanded its engagement on global trade policy and international market access, helping strengthen the competitiveness of U.S. dairy around the world. A recognized leader in agricultural trade policy, Dykes has served as a cleared advisor to the Office of the United States Trade Representative and as a member of the Agricultural Policy Advisory Committee (APAC). Under his leadership, IDFA advanced policies and trade engagement efforts that helped position U.S. dairy for continued growth in global markets.
Dykes also led the establishment of the IDFA Foundation in 2022 and helped advance multiple industry-wide commitments demonstrating dairy’s proactive leadership on health and nutrition. Under his leadership, IDFA expanded dairy nutrition incentive programs for SNAP participants and reinforced dairy’s role as an affordable, nutritious, and accessible food for families around the world.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Dykes helped lead industry efforts to ensure dairy processing facilities could continue operating safely as essential infrastructure, helping maintain the production and transportation of nutritious dairy foods nationwide. During the outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), IDFA partnered closely with the U.S. government and dairy stakeholders to reinforce public confidence in the safety of dairy products and maintain industry coordination during a period of significant uncertainty.
Dykes will continue serving as President and CEO through Dec. 31, 2026, working closely with the IDFA Executive Council officers and leadership team to support a smooth leadership transition while continuing to advance IDFA’s strategic priorities and advocacy agenda.
Following his retirement, Dykes plans to spend more time with family in Kentucky and Virginia.
