DFA announced in November that Rodenbaugh would take the role. Former CEO Rick Smith led the dairy cooperative for 16 years and is retiring.

Rodenbaugh has worked for DFA since 2007. He previously worked as executive vice president of the cooperative and president of its council operations and Ingredient Solutions business unit.

“DFA’s core focus will always be on marketing its members’ milk. As I work with my leadership team on strategic imperatives, a focus on investment, innovation, valuing our members and advocating for their ability to achieve their goals are just a few tenets of my vision for future success,” Rodenbaugh said.

DFA reported net sales of $19.3 billion for 2021, up from $17.9 billion the previous year. The 8% increase came as the Kansas City, Kansas-based dairy cooperative booked a full year of revenue from Dean Foods assets purchased out of bankruptcy in 2020 for $433 million. Net income, excluding significant non-recurring items, totaled $199 million.

It is the nation’s second-largest cooperative, as ranked by NCB Co-op. It has more than 12,500 members, for whom it markets a wide range of dairy products.