Influential lobbyist says 'time for a change' in leadership

Tipton

Longtime lobbyist and International Dairy Foods Association CEO Connie Tipton said Monday she will retire from the $10 million-revenue organization at the end of the year.

Tipton has led the association since 2004, taking over from her husband, Tip Tipton, who founded IDFA in 1990. Tip Tipton died in 2013.

Tipton announced her decision to step down at a meeting of more than 1,000 dairy executives in Phoenix.

"I have decided to retire at the end of 2016 after 35 fulfilling years representing the dairy foods industry," Tipton said. "I have had a wonderful career working with this industry and appreciate all of the opportunities I have been given, the friends I have made and the fun I have had."

Giving as reason for her departure, Tipton said it "is certainly time for a change" given both her and her former husband's longtime leadership of the organization.

Tipton joined the staff of the Milk Industry Foundation and the International Ice Cream Association in 1981. It was there she met Tip Tipton, and together the couple would go on to launch several successful industry events, including the Capital Hill Ice Cream Party and the International Sweetener Colloquium and Dairy Forum.

Among her accomplishments was the passage of legislation in 1990 that established the Milk Processor Education Program, the organization behind the famous "Got Milk?" ad campaign. Tipton received the Bryce Harlow Foundation's Business-Government Relations Award in 2014 in recognition of her advocacy efforts.

A transition committee of six executives from IDFA member companies will oversee the process for selecting the association's next leader. Both internal and external candidates will be considered, Tipton said.