About

About Us

NCCIA is a not-for-profit trade organization whose mission is to advance the knowledge of its members by providing opportunities to interact with experts in the business and learn technical aspects of the cheese industry. Governed by a volunteer board of 15 individuals who are active in the cheese business; assisted by advisors from academic institutions, and government and state regulatory agencies.

Our History

NCCIA was established in 1951 to encourage the improvement in quality of cheese, to further the professional interests of cheese makers, and to promote the welfare of the cheese industry.

Board Members

President

Ashley Engel – First District

Vice President

Ryan Nielson – Wapsie Valley Cheese

Executive Secretary

Prafulla Salunke, South Dakota State University

2025 NCCIA Board of Directors

Bryan Anderson – Land O’Lakes

Graham Archer – Tetra Pak

Troy Gascoinge – Proliant Inc.

Duncan Jochimsen – Milk Specialties Global

Mitchell Kunkel – Stickney Hill Dairy

Brianna Lee – Prairie Farms

Lane Lindquist – Valley Queen Cheese

Nicole Logeais – IFF

Sam Metzger – Agropur

Jose Quijada – Ecolab

Christian Streckfuss – CHR Hansen

RJ Twiford – Membrane System Specialists

Kevin VanOrnum – Nelson Jameson

Steve Voss – AMPI

Open

Open

Advisors

Jayendra Amamcharla – University of Minnesota

Terri Boylston – Iowa State University

Londa Nwadike – South Dakota State University

PC Vasavada – University of Wisconsin, River Falls

TBD – Iowa State University