Leadership & Staff

Governance
The Federation is governed by a board of ten (10) directors elected to represent the four (4) districts in the state, as well as two (2) at-large positions.  These board members are required to be dairy farmers in the district they represent for at least 5 years and be on record as a member of good standing at the Federation office.  The Board of Directors, with the guidance of the bylaws and resolutions, formulates and sets policies for the Federation.

2023 Board of Directors
District 1, Position 1 – Terry Lenssen (President)
District 1, Position 2 – Chris Sybrandy
District 1, Position 3 – Dwayne Faber (Secretary-Treasurer)
District 2, Position 4 – Eric Johnson
District 2, Position 5 – Zach Schilter
District 3, Position 6 – Markus Rollinger
District 3, Position 7 – Austin Allred
District 3, Position 8 – Hessel Veldhuis
District 4, Position 9 – Vacant
District 4, Position 10 – Henry Benthem
Eastern WA Member At Large – Dan DeRuyter
Western WA Member At Large – Jason Roetcisoender

WSDF Staff

Dan Wood : Executive Director

Dan Wood

Executive Director

dan@wastatedairy.com

Dan Wood has more than 25 years of experience in the public policy arena as a volunteer activist, professional advocate, non-profit association leader, and public official.

He had managed candidate campaigns, public relations projects, and conventions with several hundred attendees.

As a non-profit leader, he led a 10-year successful campaign to construct a $15 million commercial-scale wind project. As a public official, he authorized and saw to completion multi-million-dollar projects for infrastructure (rail, road, sewer, and water), building construction and renovation (courthouse, schools, and public safety facilities).

As a county commissioner, Dan co-managed a public entity with several-hundred employees and combined budgets of about $100 million. This involved coordinating with other elected officials, working with various levels of government, managing contracts and projects and duvet adoption and supervision. Dan has also been involved in successful disaster relief and social service programs and focused efforts.

William J. Gordon : Policy Director

William J. Gordon

Policy Director

jay@wastatedairy.com

Jay Gordon, representing and supporting Dairy Farmers in Washington since 2001, has vast experience with policy leadership in Olympia.  He is a farmer and owns and operates a 600 acre crop farm in Elma, Washington. Jay routinely works with State Agencies, national dairy organizations, local livestock and shellfish growers to promote the dairy industry while working to provide solutions for environmental and health issues such as nutrient management regulation, air and water regulation and animal identification.

Jay also serves on the Advisory Board of William D. Ruckelshaus Center of WSU. His effort at the Center includes promoting the Voluntary Stewardship Program for buffers throughout the State of Washington.

Alicia McCarthy : Resources Director

Alicia McCarthy

Resources Director

alicia@wastatedairy.com

Alicia graduated from Washington State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Strategic Communications. Alicia was a communications intern at the WSDF during the 2021 legislative session where she was able to gain firsthand experience in public policy. She is the 5th generation on her parents’ dairy farm in Raymond, Washington where she was active in 4-H and FFA throughout her childhood. From 2016-2017, Alicia was the Washington State Dairy Ambassador where she was able to promote dairy products throughout Washington. With dairy farming being part of Alicia’s life from a young age, she looks forward to supporting and aiding dairy farmers with new resources and funding opportunities.

Christine Heinitz : Office Manager

Christine Heinitz

Office Manager

christine@wastatedairy.com

Christine has held office and management positions for the last 25 years, including 15 years of accounting and bookkeeping experience. She volunteers with various non-profits including dog rescuing and runs her own dog networking page on social media.

Ashley Larson : Communications Manager

Ashley Larson

Communications Manager

ashley@wastatedairy.com

Ashley has worked with several non-profit agriculture associations over the last 10 years, including the Washington State Sheep Producers and the Washington State FFA Exhibition. She has earned a B.S. in in Agribusiness from the University of Idaho. Ashley resides in Tenino with her husband and two daughters. They raise beef cattle and sheep. She is also a licensed real estate agent in Washington focusing on land and agriculture properties.