Clay Detlefsen
The National Milk Producers Federation has hired Clay Detlefsen as senior vice president for regulatory and environmental affairs.

Detlefsen, an attorney and long-time industry specialist in dairy regulation and policy issues, has worked for the International Dairy Foods Association for 25 years and will begin his work at NMPF on Monday.

A key industry source noted that, while IDFA, which represents dairy processors, and NMPF, which represents dairy farmers, were at odds during the farm bill debate, they are usually in agreement on regulatory policies.

Detlefsen joined IDFA in 1990, and was named vice president for regulatory affairs in 2002. He led IDFA’s work on sustainability and on the Food Safety Modernization Act, National Milk noted in a news release.

He has also been a leading food industry adviser on protecting the safety and security of food processing plants and distribution systems from intentional adulteration and terrorism.

A resident of Burtonsville, Md., Detlefsen has a bachelor’s degree in microbiology and a master of business administration in finance from the University of Maryland, and a law degree from the University of Baltimore.