United Dairy Farmers appoints Michael Ahmed as new CEO

USA – United Dairy Farmers has named Michael Ahmed as its new CEO, marking a historic transition as the 85-year-old company moves from family ownership to professional management for the first time in its history.

The leadership change marks a watershed moment for the regional dairy retail powerhouse, which has grown from a small family operation founded by the Lindners in 1940 to nearly 200 stores spanning three states.

Ahmed assumed the CEO role earlier this month, bringing outside industry expertise to a brand synonymous with Midwest dairy tradition.

Ahmed arrives at UDF with extensive credentials in consumer packaged goods and food manufacturing, having served as Chief Operating Officer at Gorilla Glue Company for the past five years.

His resume includes senior leadership positions at Tyson Foods and Advanced Pierre Foods, as well as strategic roles at Kik Custom Products and Procter & Gamble.

This diverse background in operational excellence and brand management positions him to navigate UDF’s next growth chapter while preserving the homemade quality and community connection that define the brand’s market identity.

The leadership transition comes on the heels of remarkable expansion, with UDF completing over $25 million in capital investments over the past decade, including a significant upgrade to its Norwood ice cream manufacturing plant and construction of a new family bakery facility.

The company also renovated or built more than 50 stores across its regional footprint during this period, demonstrating aggressive growth momentum.

This infrastructure modernization provides Ahmed with robust operational assets to leverage as he implements strategies to expand UDF’s geographic reach and market penetration.

Michael Ahmed, who replaces Brad Lindner, who spent 47 years with the company, including 27 as president and CEO, announced his retirement as part of succession planning that began in late 2024.

The outgoing CEO emphasized this would be a significant shift from family-led operations to professional management. However, the Lindner family will maintain strategic involvement through continued Board of Directors oversight.

Lindner will shepherd the transition by leading Ahmed’s onboarding before assuming the chairman role, ensuring institutional knowledge transfers smoothly to the new leadership structure.

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