Jan 29, 2026

Andrew Henderson named chair, Gay Lea Foods board of directors

TORONTO, ON – January 29, 2026 – Gay Lea Foods Co-operative Limited (“Gay Lea Foods”), Ontario’s largest dairy co-operative, today announced that eastern Ontario dairy farmer, Andrew Henderson, has been acclaimed to succeed Rob Goodwill as chair of the co-operative’s board of directors.

The leadership transition, part of a long-planned succession process, will see Goodwill remain on the board executive committee as past chair for the next year.

“I am honoured to assume this leadership position at an important moment in our co-operative’s history,” said Henderson. “Our business is strong, and growing, and entering an important period of capital re-investment to fuel the next generation of growth.”

Andrew Henderson (left) has been acclaimed as chair of Gay Lea Foods, succeeding Rob Goodwill (right) as part of a long planned, thoughtful succession process.

Goodwill, a fifth‑generation dairy farmer from Owen Sound, Ontario, has served as board chair since 2018, making him the longest‑serving chair in the co-operative’s 67‑year history. He leaves a legacy of service to Gay Lea Foods and the Canadian dairy industry, including oversight of the co-operative’s Gay Lea Recipe strategy, the launch of its organizational purpose, Enrich life with dairy, and its leading efforts to invest in Canadian communities.

“Rob leaves an incredible legacy of service to our co-operative and the Canadian dairy industry,” said Henderson. “Gay Lea Foods has accomplished so much under his transformational leadership. As Gay Lea Foods members and dairy farmers, we owe him a debt of gratitude.”

Under Goodwill’s leadership, Gay Lea Foods grew from a smaller, regional co-operative into a major player in the Canadian dairy industry, processing nearly one billion litres of milk annually, and with revenues approaching $1.4-billion. Today, Gay Lea Foods operates processing facilities in four provinces, with its products available on shelves from coast-to-coast.

“While I am exceptionally proud of our business performance, I am even more proud that Gay Lea Foods has always stayed true to its farmer-owned, co-operative roots,” said Goodwill. “Leading an organization so deeply committed to our communities, the Canadian dairy industry, and the wider co-operative movement, has been the honour of a lifetime.”

Henderson was acclaimed chair at special meeting of the Gay Lea Foods board of directors on January 28, 2026, held following the co-operative 67^th annual general meeting the previous day. Former board executive committee member DeeDee Bekkers was acclaimed as vice chair during the annual executive committee election process, and director Jennifer Woodhouse was elected as executive member, completing the four‑member board executive committee for the year.

About Gay Lea Foods

Gay Lea Foods is a leading Canadian dairy co-operative renowned for producing high-quality, nutritious dairy products that Canadian families love and trust. From farm to table, our 1,200 farmer members in Ontario and Manitoba, and more than 1,200 employees across four provinces, work together to nourish communities through award-winning brands including Gay Lea, Nordica, Salerno, Bothwell Cheese, and more. As part of its deeply rooted, balanced commitment to people, profit, and planet, Gay Lea Foods proudly invests one percent of pre-tax earnings back into Canadian communities through a national food security partnership with Second Harvest, and the community-building efforts of the Gay Lea Foundation. To learn more, visit gaylea.com.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Robin Redstone

Director, Communications

communications@gayleafoods.com

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