Board of Directors
Your small, hard-working Board of Directors meets monthly to discuss current issues and how to advocate for it's members.
Front Row left to right: Bill Holtz, Wes Katzman, Don Kilgora Back Row left to right: Jim Grotjan, Dan Lauderdale, Duane Hinchley, Ken Hildebrandt, Phil Diedrich, George Koehl and Emery Featherstone.
Ken Hildebrandt
President
Ken is from South Beloit, IL and has been farming on his 1800 acre family farm since 1978. He married Amy Jo (Walter) and have four children. When Ken is not milking his 420 cows he enjoys watching his kids play sports and bowling.
Ken has served as a Director for 14 years, Vice President for 3 years and recently accepted the role of President in 2020.
Duane Hinchley
Vice President
Duane has represented it's members since joining the board in 2011. His farm as been in his family since 1958 when his parents Keith and Ruth Hinchley purchased the farm. Duane's farm is now 2100 acres and he and his family milk 110 cows. His wife, Tina (Arfsten) and 4 children (Curtis, Spencer, Anna and Catherine - twins!) live in Cambridge, WI.
George Koehl
Director
George ("Butch" to some) joined the Board of Directors in 2017 to network with other farmers in the region. His farm has been in the family since his grandfather and father purchased the farm over 100 years ago which now has 240 acres. George is married to Jane (Gallup) from Delavan and they have a daughter, Courtney, and a son-in-law, Chris. When George is not milking his 50 cows, he enjoys sports, golfing and bicycling.
Phil Diedrich
Director
Phil was born in Burlington, WI and has been a board member since 2020. His wife, Kimberly (Dix) also from Burlington milk about 130 cows. Their family farm has been in their family since 1950.
Kimberly and Phil have 3 grown children (Abby, Shannon and Kyle) and a sweet grandson, Lukas. In his "spare" time, Phil also grows Christmas trees!
Wes Katzman
Director
Donald Kilgora
Membership Services
Coming Soon!
Don was born in Walworth County and purchased his farm from his grandfather who purchased the farm in 1918. He has his wife Carol (Herron) have two children and enjoy spending time with their 3 grandchildren.
He retired from milking cows and for the last 32 years has served as the organization's Membership Manager.
When Don is not coordinating membership he enjoys traveling on bus trips with friends and keeping warm in his new hot tub.
Dan Lauderdale
Director
Emery Featherstone
Field Representative
Dan Lauderdale Elkhorn, WI joined the board in 2019. Him and his wife Allison (Harbach) have 4 boys! (Wesley, Henry, Bennett and Leroy). The 550 acre farm was purchased by Sylvanus Lauderdale in 1908 and they currently milk 130 cows.
Dan serves a board member because, " It's nice to belong to a smaller association that cares for it's members. We also offer protection against any catastrophic disaster to our farm." When he is not playing sports with his boys, he fires up his grill and enjoys spending time with family.
Emery has been active within the organization since 1999. He began as a Director, held the position of Vice President and now serves as one of the field representatives. Emery sold his cows in 2017 and is lives in Walworth, WI with his wife, Cary. His 184 acre farm has been in the family since 1942. When not with his wife and his daughter Anna, Emery enjoys cheering for the Green Bay Packers and gardening.
Emery has served over 15 years because the organizaton helps other farmers and he enjoys being involved in the dairy industry.
William (Bill) Holtz
Field Representative
Bill was born in Elgin, IL and purchased his Elkhorn farm from his parents. The 150 acre farm has been part of his family since 1968.
He retired from milking cows and since May 2013 has been visiting member farms as your Field Representative.
When Bill is not traveling the state, he enjoys playing dartball on his church's team.