WASHINGTON, Feb. 29, 2008 - Secretary of Agriculture Edward T. Schafer today announced the appointment of three incumbents and six new members to the National Fluid Milk Processor Promotion Board.

Re-appointed to serve second terms are: Brian Haugh, Dallas, Texas (Region 8) and Michael A. Krueger, Phoenix, Ariz. (At-Large Processor).

Re-appointed to serve a first term after filling a vacancy lasting less than 18 months is:

Jay B. Simon, Stockton, Calif. (Region 14).

Newly appointed are: James F. Walsh, Lynnfield, Mass. (Region 2); Michael R. Smith, Lakeland, Fla. (Region 5); and Steven M. Turner, Covington, Tenn. (Region 11).

Newly appointed to fill vacancies lasting less than 18 months are: John R. Zuroweste, Dallas, Texas (Region 12); Charles S. Mayfield, Jr., Athens, Tenn. (At-Large Processor); and Janey K. Thornton, PhD., Elizabethtown, Ky.

Terms for these appointees begin July 1, 2008, and expire June 30, 2011, except for Mssrs. Zuroweste and Mayfield, and Dr. Thornton, who are filling vacant positions with less than 18 months remaining and whose terms expire June 30, 2009. All appointees will be seated at the board meeting July 17-19, 2008.

The National Fluid Milk Processor Promotion Board is composed of 15 fluid milk processors from 15 geographic regions and five at-large members. At least three at-large members must be fluid milk processors and at least one must be from the general public. The Board was established by the Fluid Milk Promotion Act of 1990 to develop and administer a coordinated program of advertising and promotion to increase the demand for fluid milk products.

The National Fluid Milk Program is financed by a mandatory 20-cent per hundredweight assessment on all fluid milk processed and marketed commercially in consumer-type packages in the contiguous 48 states and the District of Columbia. Processors who commercially process and market 3 million pounds or less per month, excluding those fluid milk products delivered to the residence of a consumer, are exempt from assessments.

The Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Marketing Service monitors the operations of the Board. It is USDA's policy that membership on industry-governed boards and committees accurately reflect the diversity of individuals served by the program.