Introductions

Welcome to the Dairy Connection Inc. Blog. In this space we will share technical information, industry news, frequently asked application/process questions, event news and much more. Our bloggers include a technical service team with a combined 100+ years of experience in the dairy industry. Learn a little about our bloggers below, and come back soon to see what we’re talking about!

Dave Potter

Dave is the president and owner of Dairy Connection Inc. Originally from Iowa where he grew up on a dairy farm, Dave’s career in the dairy ingredient industry began in 1982. He often shares his expertise in workshops and seminars nationwide. He lives in Madison, Wis. with his wife (and Dairy Connection co-founder) Cathy. Fun fact: Dave’s original college major was mechanical drawing before he switched his major to dairy science.

Bill Rufenacht

Bill is a technical specialist for Dairy Connection. Bill has deep roots in the cheese world, hailing from the heart of Wisconsin cheese country in southwest Wisconsin. After several decades of experience in a variety of roles within the cheese industry, Bill joined the Dairy Connection team in 2012. He received the “Above and Beyond” award from the American Cheese Society in 2018. Fun fact: Bill detests rhubarb with the passion of a thousand suns.

Emily Harbison

Emily joined Dairy Connection as a technical specialist in 2015 after receiving a Food Science degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Emily says that she fell in love with food science and the food industry because it married her interests in chemistry and microbiology with working with people. Fun fact: Emily enjoys canoeing and long trips in the wilderness.

Katie Phillips

Katie is Dairy Connection’s Operations Manager and SQF Practitioner. Katie joined Dairy Connection in 2010, shortly after receiving a B.S. in Business Administration from the University of Montana. Katie lives in Cottage Grove with her husband Adam and three young children. Fun fact: Katie loves Indian food.