January 4/Orrville, Ohio/Press Release -- Smith Dairy Products Company announced that Nate Schmid was named president of the Orrville, Ohio, company. Schmid succeeds retiring Smith Dairy president Ron Them, who held that position since 2008 and had been with the company since 1974.

A search committee considered both internal and external candidates for the position during the past few months, ultimately recommending Schmid for the position. The recommendation was unanimously accepted by the company's board of directors.

Schmid brings a strong track record of domestic and international business experience to the position. Schmid began his career with Innotec Corp., working in its Zeeland, Mich., manufacturing group before taking responsibility for the launch of their Asian operations in Shanghai, China. Prior to accepting the position with Smith Dairy, he served as senior manager, Strategic Initiatives, for Baxter International Inc. in Chicago. Schmid has a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from Calvin College, Grand Rapids, Mich., and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Michigan.

Nate Schmid marks the fourth generation of Schmid family leadership for Smith Dairy Products Company. His great-grandfather John J. Schmid began the dairy on Jan. 1, 1909 with brother Peter.  Mr. Schmid’s father, Steve, is currently the president of Schmid Inc. and Dairy Enterprises Inc.