Matt McClelland

Matt McClelland is the Chief Executive Officer and Executive Vice President for Prairie Farms Dairy.  While beginning his career with Prairie Farms in 1991, Matt was also starting his education at Southeast Missouri State University until graduating in 1995 with an Agri-Business degree.

Since that time, Matt has worked for the Prairie Farms Family of Companies throughout the Midwest, including Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Kansas, serving in various capacities within Hiland Dairy and Prairie Farms.

In 2009, Matt joined the Prairie Farms Corporate Staff as Director of Operations where he supported multiple operations within the Prairie Farms network, as well as managed Prairie Farms’ relationships with various national account customers.

In January 2020, Matt was promoted to Senior Vice President of Sales. His oversight included the sales, distribution and logistics functionality of the Prairie Farms Companies.

On January 1, 2022, Matt became Prairie Farms’ Chief Executive Officer and Executive Vice President.  Prairie Farms Dairy is one of the largest and most successful dairy cooperatives operating in the Midwest and the South. The cooperative includes more than 500 farm families, 9,000 associates, 47 manufacturing plants, more than 100 distribution facilities, and annual sales of $4.7 billion. Matt’s vision for Prairie Farms’ future includes the enduring legacies and fundamental beliefs in the cooperative system and to simply “Do Right” for its members, associates and customers; while also emphasizing the need to recognize and adapt to the ever-changing needs of its future consumers, innovations and technologies.

Matt is involved in various leadership roles within the dairy industry and his community.  He currently serves as a Chairman for the Milk Processor Education Program (MilkPep) Board of Directors, Director for the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy, Chairman of QCS Purchasing Board of Directors and as an advisory Board Member for the St. Louis District Dairy Council.

Matt is also involved with other organizations including Regional Business Council (St. Louis), St. Louis Men’s Group Against Cancer, Illinois Farm Bureau, and Bond County Farm Bureau.

Matt and his wife Emily reside in St. Charles County, Missouri.