WASHINGTON, February 19, 2026—The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) announced today that Andrew Jerome has been named senior vice president of strategic communications. He will also assume the role of executive director of the IDFA Foundation, effective March 16, succeeding Matt Herrick. Jerome will report to Michael Dykes, D.V.M., president and CEO of IDFA, and serve on the association’s executive leadership team.
Over six years at IDFA, Jerome has helped elevate the voice and visibility of the U.S. dairy industry during a period of significant growth and change. He guided communications strategy through the COVID-19 pandemic and the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreak, strengthened IDFA’s leadership through proactive industry commitments, supported the association’s comprehensive rebrand, and led development and integration of digital tools that improved industry advocacy and IDFA member value.
“We are excited to welcome Andrew to the IDFA Executive Team as senior vice president of strategic communications. He has been instrumental in positioning IDFA as the authoritative voice of the dairy industry,” said Dykes. “He brings strategic clarity and a strong understanding of policy, media and business landscapes. I am confident Andrew will continue to elevate our communications program and the IDFA Foundation’s work in the years ahead.”
In his new role, Jerome will oversee the development and execution of IDFA’s comprehensive communications strategy to promote, enhance, and protect the image of dairy and the association. He will continue positioning IDFA and its leadership as trusted advisors and thought leaders across agriculture, food and beverage, and public policy communities, while deepening relationships with media, policymakers, and key stakeholders in Washington and beyond. As executive director of the IDFA Foundation, he will guide its strategic direction and philanthropic initiatives to advance community impact, workforce development and public trust in dairy.
“I’m honored to step into these roles at a pivotal time for our industry,” said Jerome. “Dairy plays an essential role in nourishing families, supporting rural communities, and driving economic growth. I look forward to building on the strong foundation we’ve established — advancing sound policy, strengthening public trust, and expanding the impact of the IDFA Foundation for the industry we serve.”
Before joining IDFA in 2020, Jerome served as director at Michael Torrey Associates, where he provided policy and communications counsel to food companies, trade associations, farm groups, and universities, while helping grow the firm’s strategic communications and business development efforts. He previously was communications director for the National Farmers Union, overseeing media relations, digital strategy, coalition communications, events, and member outreach. A native of Southern Maryland, Jerome holds a degree in public relations with an emphasis on American politics and policy from West Virginia University.
IDFA has begun recruiting for a Vice President of Communications to join the IDFA Communications Team. Find the position description here.
Find Jerome’s full bio here and a downloadable headshot here.
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Contact: press@idfa.org
The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), Washington, D.C., represents the nation’s dairy manufacturing and marketing industry, which supports more than 3 million jobs that generate $198 billion in direct wages and $779 billion in overall economic impact. IDFA’s diverse membership ranges from multinational organizations to single-plant companies, from dairy companies and cooperatives to food retailers and suppliers, all on the cutting edge of innovation and sustainable business practices. Together, they represent most of the milk, cheese, ice cream, yogurt and cultured products, and dairy ingredients produced and marketed in the United States and sold throughout the world. Delicious, safe and nutritious, dairy foods offer unparalleled health and consumer benefits to people of all ages.