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Executive Team
 Elizabeth Olson - President
Hello everyone, I’m a senior double majoring in Animal Science and Applied Economics, and I am currently serving as President of the Gopher Dairy Club and have previously served on the Exec Team in the position of Student Board Representative. I was raised on a Registered Holstein Farm in Hutchinson, Minnesota with my family consisting of father Loren, mother Laura, sisters Sarah and Lana, and brother Luke. I have been primarily involved in the dairy industry through youth organizations and internships. Such organizations include the National Junior Holstein Association, 4-H, FFA, American Simmental Association, and many more. On campus I am involved with the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences, American Dairy Science Association, the Block and Bridle Club, and more! To add to this, I have been active with dairy promotion through the Midwest Dairy Association by serving as the 56th Princess Kay of the Milky Way in 2009 to 2010. Internships that I have gained experience through include working as a Sales and Marketing Intern for Form-A-Feed, a Marketing Assistant to Columbia Grain, and a Marketing Intern to CRV USA. In the future I hope to obtain a career in marketing, communications, or public relations within the agriculture field with either a domestic or global company or location.
Email: olso4703@umn.edu
 Emily Achen - Vice President
I am currently a senior majoring in Animal Science with a minor in Leadership. My family previously owned and operated Achen Family Dairy just south of Sauk Centre, Minnesota. My siblings and I were heavily involved in 4-H and FFA. These organizations gave us an outlet to express our extreme passion for the dairy industry where we could continue to learn, show, and judge dairy cattle. Recently, my family and the herd moved to Indiana; however, my family is still in partnership in Union Dairy near West Union. I have maintained my residency, activities, and interest here in Minnesota. I am a member of the State and National Brown Swiss and Holstein Associations and attend those conventions each year. I am also serving the dairy farmers of Stearns County as one of their five dairy princesses. My favorite Gopher Dairy Club event is the working the Gopher Dairy Bar at the Minnesota State Fair. After a long and exciting summer break, I love catching up with my friends while serving up cool, delicious milk shakes to fair goers. We make up ridiculous substitute names for the flavors, compete in ice cream cone art, and race at who can fill up their milk shake the fastest. Who said work couldn’t be fun? I am a member of the Agriculture Education Club, a member of Lambda Delta Phi Sorority, and a member of the University of Minnesota Dairy Judging Team.
Email: achen007@umn.edu
 Ashley Swenson - Treasurer
Hello everyone! This year marks my senior year in Animal Science with an emphasis in Pre-Veterinary Medicine. My passion for the dairy industry began in the show ring and still remains strong. I truly love working on our family's Registered Holstein farm with my parents Paul and Cindy near Nicollet, MN. Growing up I was involved in everything from 4-H and FFA, and remain active in the Minnesota Junior Holstein Association. I have also served the dairy industry as a Nicollet County Dairy Princess and a 2010 Princess Kay of the Milky Way finalist. These organizations have been a gateway to my involvement in the Gopher Dairy Club. Over the past few years I have worked in the Gopher Dairy Bar, been a camp counselor at Gopher Dairy Camp, attended both Regional ADSA and National ADSA, and I look forward to the infamous senior trip to California. I have been blessed with numerous job opportunities and countless friends through activities sponsored by the Gopher Dairy Club. One of these opportunities includes an internship with Accelerated Genetics, working with their herd veterinarian and Genetic Visions team. This fall I will continue to work at the University of Minnesota as an undergraduate research assistant in swine virology. Next fall I look forward to attending the University of Minnesota's College of Veterinary Medicine, from there I hope to be involved in research, large animal vet work, and returning home to take over our family farm.
Email: swens698@umn.edu
 Emily Krekelberg - Secretary
My name is Emily Krekelberg, and I am currently studying Animal Science with an emphasis in Dairy Production. In fall 2011 I will begin my junior year. I am privileged to be serving GDC as Secretary. I grew up on a small dairy farm just outside of Le Sueur, MN. Growing up, I was very involved in 4-H, especially the Dairy Project. I spent 5 years as the Youth Leader and enjoyed my time being on the Quiz Bowl team, arranging educational events, and showing with my fellow members in the summer. I also currently serve as a Scott-Le Sueur County Dairy Princess, which gives me a great opportunity to represent the dairy industry to consumers. I have been very involved with Gopher Dairy club since my freshman year, including serving on the Gopher Dairy Camp committee, being a Camp counselor, chairing the Alumni committee, volunteering at youth FFA Dairy Judging Contests, attending the 2010 and 2011 Regional ADSA-SAD conferences, and working at the Gopher Dairy Bar. Every experience with GDC has been memorable, but favorite is counseling at Gopher Dairy Camp—I love the opportunity to work with youth interested in dairy. Besides GDC, I am also involved in Beta of Clovia Sorority, Collegiate Agri Women, and Agricultural Education Club. After graduation, I hope to attain a career in the dairy industry working with production and animal husbandry.
Email: krek0033@umn.edu
 Laura Weisz - Reporter
I'm a senior majoring in Animal Science with a dairy production emphasis and a minor in Mass Communications. I am currently serving as reporter as well as the Co-Editor of The Topline. I grew up on a small family dairy farm in Hillman, which is located in central Minnesota. On our farm we milk mainly Holsteins, but we also have a few Guernseys and crossbreds. My previous experiences in the dairy industry include being a 2008 Morrison County Dairy Princess and a Princess Kay of the Milky Way Finalist, serving as the 2009 Minnesota Guernsey Princess, and participating in the Minnesota Junior Holstein Association and the Minnesota Junior Guernsey Breeders Association. The Gopher Dairy Club has allowed me to continue my involvement in the dairy industry into college and expand my network within the dairy industry. On campus I am also involved in Beta of Clovia, St. Paul Ambassadors, St. Paul Board of Colleges, and the Minnesota Royal Executive Team. In 2010-2011 I also served as a member of the Agriculture Future of America (AFA) Student Advisory Team. During the summer of 2010, I had the opportunity to intern for CHS in Marketing Communications at corporate headquarters in Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota. Following graduation I hope to pursue a career or a Master's Degree in the area of ruminant nutrition.
Email: weisz019@umn.edu
 Theresa Twohey - Student Board Representative
Hi everyone, my name is Theresa Twohey and I am a sophomore from Stewartville, Minnesota majoring in Agricultural Education with a minor in Animal Science. I am currently serving as the Student Board Representative for the Gopher Dairy Club. To give a little background on myself, I grew up on a dairy farm, my family and I milk 300 grade and registered Holstein. I am an Olmsted County Dairy Princess, and growing up I loved showing and judging dairy cattle. Along with being the Student Board Representative, I am the chair for the judging contests and I have been a counselor at Gopher Dairy Camp. That being said, my favorite GDC event would have to be the judging contests we host here on campus. I love judging and enjoy helping younger FFA members discover their passion for judging. I am also a member of the Agricultural Education Club, Beta of Clovia Sorority, and the Agriculture Awareness Day co-chair. I look forward to serving GDC over the next year. GO GOPHERS!!
Email: twohe009@umn.edu
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