Elmhurst, IL – The American Dairy Products Institute (ADPI) is pleased to announce Rick Kaepernick as the 2015 Recipient of the Award of Merit. The Award of Merit was established in 1991 to recognize individuals who have made a significant difference in the processed dairy products industry.
Rick Kaepernick is currently the Senior Vice President of Growth and Development with Hilmar Cheese Company, a fitting title for someone who has had an active 40 year career in the dairy industry.
In 1991, Hilmar Cheese Company's first employee and current CEO and President John Jeter along with the help of several owners lured Rick away from a 17 year career with Borden's to join forces with them at Hilmar Cheese Company, which at the time was only a 7-year-old company and a new face in the industry. The effort was worth it – Rick and Hilmar Cheese Company have grown and developed together during his 23 tenure.
Rick's first job at Hilmar Cheese Company was to establish a protein production facility. Since then, Rick has had a hand in nearly every aspect of the company's cheese and ingredients production, management and business endeavors including the acquisition of Proliant Dairy Ingredients and the successful establishment of Hilmar Ingredients. Rick continues to help Hilmar stake out new territory and is the transitional project coordinator for construction of the company's third production site and entry into the milk powder business. Having held several Vice President roles, Rick has been a member of Hilmar's Steering Team since its inception.
A true champion for dairy, Rick is involved with many of our industry's organizations and universities. He is Past President of the Board of Directors for the California Creamery Operators Association; a member of the California Dairy Institute Association; and on the Board of Directors for the Dairy Science Advisory Council and on the Board of Directors for Masters of Professional Studies at Cal-Poly. Even ADPI has not escaped Rick's passion for teamwork – he is Past President of the Board of Directors and a participant on ADPI's Center of Excellence Task Force.
Having given so much time and passion to dairy, it comes as no surprise that Rick is retiring in June 2015. However, he has no intentions of slowing down. After winding down his work with Hilmar, Rick is planning to donate time to church activities, and to son Colin's charities and sports business. Rick is also looking forward to the luxury of more time with his wife Teresa, son Kyle and daughter Devon, as well as his grandson Ezekiel and two additional grandchildren that will arrive this summer. The members of ADPI and the entire dairy industry congratulate Rick Kaepernick, the 2015 recipient of ADPI's Award of Merit.
ADPI – The American Dairy Products Institute is the leading national trade association representing manufacturers and marketers of dairy-based ingredients. ADPI's sole mission is to increase the worldwide use of dairy ingredients by marshaling the technical, manufacturing, and marketing resources of its members and others. For more information, visit our website at www.adpi.org
Source: ADPI – The American Dairy Products Institute