2026 CDCB Industry Meeting

João Dürr is currently in his 12th year of service as CDCB Chief Executive Officer. Before CDCB, João worked as the Executive Director of Interbull based in Sweden, Professor at Universidade de Passo Fundo in Brazil, and President of the Brazilian Council of Milk Quality (CBQL). A native of Brazil, João received his Bachelor’s degree in agriculture at Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil; followed by master’s and doctorate degrees from McGill University, Montreal, in animal breeding and genetics.

Raised on a dairy farm in central Minnesota, Katie Schmitt began with CDCB in spring 2023 as Outreach Specialist. Previously, Katie worked at World Dairy Expo in various communication and marketing roles including Communications Manager. She received a bachelor’s degree in Animal Science with an emphasis in Industry and Business at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities along with minors in Communication Studies and Agricultural Food Business Management. In 2022, she was recognized as a “35 under 35” by Wisconsin Farm Bureau for her work with The Dairy Show podcast.

Nathan Blair joined CDCB as a Principal Engineer in November 2024 and was promoted to Chief Technology Officer in May 2026. He takes pride in being an innovative, productive software engineer, and he has earned multiple awards for technical work that resulted in positive business impacts. He brings over 25 years of diverse experience to the team, with expertise in full-stack and full-lifecycle software development across various domains and technologies including web, mobile, and enterprise line of business applications.

John Cole serves as Chief Research and Development Officer. Before coming to CDCB in March 2024, he spent three years as the Senior Vice President, Research and Development, for PEAK Genetics, where he oversaw genetics and reproductive biology research for the largest producer of cattle genetics in the world. Prior to joining PEAK, he spent 17 years as a Research Geneticist (Animals) and Acting Research Leader for USDA’s Animal Genomics and Improvement Laboratory (formerly the Animal Improvement Programs Laboratory).

John has authored more than 150 peer-reviewed research articles, mentored many postdoctoral scientists and graduate students, and is a frequent speaker at industry and scientific meetings. His research has been recognized with the Jay L. Lush Award in Breeding and Genetics from the American Dairy Science Association, the Distinguished Service Award from the National Dairy Herd Information Association, and the Peer Research Award from the National Association of Animal Breeders.

Ethan Haywood was raised and continues to reside in Hastings, Mich., where his family milks 1,400 head of Holsteins and Jerseys at Sand Creek Dairy. Following graduation from Michigan State University, Ethan became a partner in the operation and served as herd manager. Today, he continues to manage the farm’s extensive IVF, embryo transfer, and reproductive programs while also serving as a Genetic Specialist in the Dairy Sire Department at Select Sires. In this role, he is responsible for Holstein sire development across Michigan, Ohio, and Kentucky and also manages the NxGEN Program. Additionally, Ethan serves on the Board of Directors for the American Jersey Cattle Association.

Curtis Bosma is Vice President at HighGround, advising dairy producers and commercial processors on futures, options, and the federal insurance programs — DRP, LRP, and LGM. He grew up on a California dairy, spent a decade on a trade desk in Chicago, and now leads HighGround’s Producer Services team from California’s Central Valley.

Abbi Groves is an economist in CoBank’s Knowledge Exchange research division, primarily supporting the dairy and animal protein sectors. Prior to joining CoBank, she worked at the Riverview LLP dairy-beef calf ranch in New Mexico, at Land O’Lakes as a dairy calf and heifer specialist in Wisconsin, and at her family’s dairy feed and manure equipment manufacturing business in Tulare, California. Abbi earned a bachelor’s degree in animal science from Washington State University and a master’s degree in animal science from the University of Minnesota.

David J. Lentz has served the Pennsylvania Holstein Association for over 25 years and is currently Executive Director. He manages dairy cattle sales, coordinates quarantine and export projects, and fosters connection between PHA members and the dairy industry in the mid-Atlantic region and beyond. David began his career as a field representative with Holstein Association USA, first in the southeast for three years then in Pennsylvania for four more before joining PHA as Director of Sales in 2001. In that role, he managed cattle merchandising efforts through auction and private-treaty sales. In 2020, he became Executive Director. Additionally, David has served as a 4-H leader for the Perry County Dairy Club for 10 years, sits on the Board of Directors of the Pennsylvania Dairymen’s Association, and was part of the first team of International Holstein Show commentators at World Dairy Expo in 2025.