In December 2016, Connie Tipton retired from the International Dairy Foods Association where she had served for 35 years, the last 13 of those as President and CEO.  Her leadership in organizations representing food, agriculture, business, political activity, manufacturing and the Capitol Hill community earned Connie recognition not only by the industry she represented but by numerous other organizations.  In 2015, she was awarded the George Washington Spirit Award for her outstanding leadership and contributions to her profession as well as to her community.  In 2014, the Bryce Harlow Foundation honored Connie by selecting her to receive its Business-Government Relations Award.  In 2009, Connie was named Association Executive of the year by Association Trends magazine, and in 2002, she was identified by Capitol Hill publications as one of the top trade association lobbyists in Washington.

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Connie continues to give back to her community through service on several boards of directors, including the Alzheimer’s Association.  Connie’s mother and grandmother both spent their final years with Alzheimer’s disease, giving Connie the passion to engage to help others confront the challenges of Alzheimer’s and work toward finding a cure.