The Cherry Marketing Institute and Cherry Industry Administrative Board recently welcomed Lynn Vollbrecht to their team.

Vollbrecht, a seasoned communications and marketing professional with a passion for food and agriculture, joined the nonprofits in mid-February as its director of strategic marketing. 

In this role, Vollbrecht will work with CMI and CIAB to increase the awareness and consumption of U.S.-grown Montmorency cherries by leveraging existing marketing strategies and seeking out new and innovative opportunities.

“We are so excited that Lynn joined our team here at the CIAB, sys Mollie Woods, executive director of CIAB. Her experience and enthusiasm will help us build on the successes of our promotion programs. Now more than ever we need someone who will work their hardest for our industry, and I believe we have found that in Lynn.”

Vollbrecht originally hails from a Minnesota farm family. She comes to Michigan by way of

Wisconsin, one of the seven states that grow cherries, along with New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Utah and Washington.

She holds a bachelor’s degree from Beloit College. After gaining experience in the fields of journalism, higher education, marketing research and the food industry, she most recently served as the business development and marketing manager for a health care system in southern Wisconsin. 

“I’m thrilled to be working with such a great group of people and such a versatile, exceptional

commodity,” Vollbrecht says. “What I’m most looking forward to in the coming months is meeting and learning from Montmorency cherry growers, handlers and consumers here in Michigan and beyond.” 

Michigan leads the nation in production of Montmorency tart cherries, the varietal comprising the majority of the nation’s tart cherry production; the state produces about 75% of the U.S.’s annual tart cherry crop.

Source: CMI and CIAB