(Madison, WI) – The Wisconsin Specialty Cheese Institute (WSCI) on March 15 finalized elections and new officers for its 2007-2008 Board of Directors. The eight-member board welcomes two new members, Luke Buholzer, of Klondike Cheese, Monroe, and Tammy Welles of Northland Laboratories, Green Bay. Debbie Crave, of Crave Brothers Farmstead Cheese, Waterloo, was re-elected to a second term.

Buholzer, a fourth-generation Wisconsin cheesemaker, was also elected as the new president of WSCI.  He replaces Kay Schmitz, of Henning Cheese in Kiel, who was elected Secretary-Treasure.

"I'm excited to have the opportunity to give back to the Wisconsin specialty cheese industry, which has meant so much to so many in my family," says Buholzer, whose father, Ron, and uncles Steve and Dave are third-generation owners of Klondike. "I look forward to leading the WSCI board and getting involved to help advance the great Wisconsin cheesemaking tradition."

Other remaining WSCI board members are Cathy Hart, Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board, Madison; Jeanie Korth, Specialty Cheese Co., Inc., Lowell; Paul McShane, Roth Käse USA, Monroe; and Jeff Wideman, Maple Leaf Cheese, Monroe.

Two members leaving the board, having completed their terms, are Todd Martin, of Johnson Industries International, and John Jacobs, of Foodmaster Logistics of Wisconsin.

Founded in 1994 in cooperation with the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association and the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board, the WSCI facilitates the sharing of information, ideas and support among the state's specialty cheesemakers and allied suppliers and marketers. For more information on WSCI and Wisconsin specialty cheese, visit www.wisspecialcheese.org.