Jim Mulhern, a veteran public affairs professional with three decades of government policy and communications experience in Washington, D.C., will join the National Milk Producers Federation staff Jan. 1 as chief operating officer.

Mulhern's position is a new one within NMPF. He will report directly to President and CEO Jerry Kozak and have direct oversight of the communications, government relations, and membership functions of the organization.

"Jim's deep knowledge of both the dairy industry and Capitol Hill, coupled with his demonstrated ability to get things done, will greatly benefit National Milk," Kozak said in a press release.

A Wisconsin native and a graduate of the University of Wisconsin, Mulhern began his professional career working for a dairy cooperative in Madison.

Mulhern began working on Capitol Hill in 1983. He first joined the staff of NMPF in 1985 before returning to Capitol Hill to serve as chief of staff for Wisconsin Sen. Herb Kohl.

He has since worked in senior management positions for Fleishman-Hillard, the Fratelli Group and Watson/Mulhern LLC.

Mulhern will bolster NMPF's team working on issues including farm policy, immigration reform, trade expansion, environmental regulation, animal care and milk pricing, Kozak said.

-- Carol Ryan Dumas