Whigham Joins Staff to Advocate, Support and Grow the Dairy Excellence Foundation
The Center for Dairy Excellence has named Lane Whigham as the Fund Development and Industry Relations Manager to support the growth of the Dairy Excellence Foundation, a private 501C3 charitable organization supported by the Center team. He joins a team of employees who provide resources and support to Pennsylvania dairy farms and develop dairy education programming for students of all ages.
Whigham is a native of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania and grew up working on several farms of family members. He graduated from Wilson College with a bachelor’s degree in English/Business Writing and attended Shippensburg University for his graduate studies in Special Education. Whigham has over 20 years’ of experience in government and non-profit work. For the last seven years, he has worked in fund development, advocacy and outreach with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.
“Over the past 10 years, the Dairy Excellence Foundation has laid a strong foundation of support for dairy’s next generation. We are looking forward to having Lane lead the next level of growth for our Foundation and for that next-generation support for our industry,” said Jayne Sebright, Executive Director for the Center and Foundation.
Whigham also has experience managing a special education school for students in Cumberland County. He has a deep passion for education and a strong foundation in fund development.
“The Dairy Excellence Foundation has seen unprecedented growth in their educational programming in the last few years. I’m thrilled to join the team during this exciting time, and I hope I can support this growth by strengthening donor and industry connections to this great work,” Whigham shared.
As Fund Development and Industry Relations Manager, Whigham will build relationships and cultivate support for the Foundation — expanding the Foundation’s reach to additional businesses, educators, schools, and communities.
In addition to Whigham, eight other individuals serve the Center and the Foundation. Staff members include Sebright; Melissa Anderson, dairy programs and operations manager; Emily Barge, communications and marketing manager; Zach Myers, risk management program manager; Karen Purnell, accounting manager; Michelle Shearer, workforce development manager; Brittany Snyder, dairy education program manager; and Katie Waite, fund development coordinator. Dr. Charlie Gardner and Dr. Brian Reed also serve as contractors for the Center, supporting dairy transition and transformation teams coordinated through the Center.
For more information about the Center, the Foundation and its staff, visit www.centerfordairyexcellence.org.