Selner to succeed Core as National Dairy Shrine Executive Director    
April 3, 2008 

Following an extensive search by National Dairy Shrine’s six-person executive committee, Dr. David Selner was chosen to succeed Maurice Core as the seventh executive director for the 59-year-old organization dedicated to preserving dairy history, promoting the dairy industry, and developing future dairy leaders. Selner will officially begin his role as executive director for National Dairy Shrine on August 1, 2008 .  

“National Dairy Shrine is fortunate to secure the talented Dr. David Selner as its next Executive Director,” says Linda Hodorf, president of National Dairy Shrine. “We are confident that his extensive dairy industry experience combined with his spirit of community service will help NDS further expand its contributions to the dairy industry.”  

David Selner has stepped up to the plate numerous times to assist National Dairy Shrine (NDS). He co-chaired the organization’s 50^th anniversary celebration. One year earlier, he served as chair of the original Progressive Dairy Producer committee, an award that continues to be named to this day. Selner served six years on the NDS board of directors. In 2002, he served as the 53^rd president of the organization. At the time, the organization set plans in motion to renovate the National Dairy Shrine Visitor’s Center and to update all its presentations at the Fort Atkinson based facility. Selner initiated the fundraising campaign and developed the fundraising brochures for the campaign. Additionally, he served on the renovation committee from the initiation of the project through its completion. Selner continues to guide the NDS Video History Committee by serving as its chair. In addition to his work with NDS, served in various roles with the A.I. industry for over 30 years focusing on genetics. Selner also has been a long-time leader of the National Intercollegiate Dairy Cattle Judging Contest, working with the contest for the past 30 years and serving as its superintendent for 24 years.  

“I am greatly honored to step into the role of the executive director for National Dairy Shrine,” says Selner. “I have big shoes to fill. National Dairy Shrine has been blessed with great executive directors from Joe Eves, ‘Mr. Dairy Shrine’ to Maurice Core. I promise to do my best to live up to the standard they have set for me.”  

For the past 11 years, Maurice Core, has served as the guiding force for National Dairy Shrine. Core was the third-longest-serving executive director with Joe Eves (20 years) and Jim Leuenberger (16 years) the only past executive directors with longer tenures. It was at the 58^th annual meeting that Core shared his desire to step down from the leadership role within the organization. He and his wife, Carole, who are familiar faces at Dairy Shrine functions, have agreed to assist Dairy Shrine through the leadership transition and will be working for the organization through the annual meeting to be held at World Dairy Expo. Prior to his service with NDS, Core had a strong influence in the Jersey breed during 37-year tenure with the American Jersey Cattle Association (AJCA) where he served as AJCA executive secretary from 1985 to 1993.  

“Serving as executive director for the past 11 years has been very rewarding and much fun,” says Core. “It was a job I really enjoyed.”  The next step for National Dairy Shrine’s executive committee will be selecting a new location for the organization’s administrative offices since Selner calls Wisconsin home. The committee is looking at a number of Wisconsin-based options. During Core’s tenure, NDS administrative offices were located at COBA-Select Sires in Columbus , Ohio . National Dairy Shrine thanks Bernard Heisner, general manager for COBA, and the entire COBA team for the great cooperation and assistance afforded the National Dairy Shrine staff during that time.  

Last year, NDS awarded over $31,000 in scholarships to young people. To join the 18,000 members of National Dairy Shrine, contact Maurice Core at National Dairy Shrine, 1224 Alton Darby Creek Road , Columbus , Ohio 43228-9792 . Lifetime membership is $50. If you would like to contribute to the other National Dairy Shrine efforts, such as promoting the dairy industry and preserving dairy history, contributions can be made in any amount. Please contact Maurice Core at the above address, call (614) 878-5333, or go to www.dairyshrine.org for more details.