Gale Lee Hackman
Gale Hackman is the second generation of his family to serve as president and chief executive officer of Central Dairy Company, Jefferson City. His father, Leo Hackman, served in the same leadership role for Central Dairy prior to 1967 and was awarded the Dairy Hall of Honors Pioneer Leadership Award in 1998.
At the present time Christopher, the third generation of the Hackman family serving a Central Dairy leadership role, is chief executive officer while Gale retains the title of president. Gale was born Nov. 30, 1942 in Jefferson City to Leo and Tulah Hackman. As a student at Jefferson City’s Central High School his competitive and winning spirit became evident as he played football under the direction of legendary Coach Pete Atkins.
Gale played during the years when Coach Akins started a 71 game winning streak.
After graduating from high school Gale attended the University of Missouri and graduated with a degree in business/accounting in 1965.
His business career began as an accountant with Peat Marwick Mitchell in St. Louis where he worked during the period from 1965-1967.
Gale married Judy Turner in Columbia on Jan. 23, 1965. The Hackmans have two sons – Christopher born in 1971 and Jeffrey born in 1976.
Christopher is a University of Missouri business graduate. Jeffrey has an MD degree granted by the University of Missouri, Kansas City and is currently in his second year of residency at Truman Hospital in Kansas City.
Gale and Judy have two grandchildren. Son Christopher and wife Dawn are parents of Katelyn born Jan. 17, 1999 and Lauren born July 22, 2002.
Gale belongs to the Missouri Dairy Products Association and the International Foods and Dairy Association. He is a past president of the All-Star Dairy Association and is the chair of the Missouri State Milk Board.
In addition, Gale is a member of the Jefferson City Chamber of Commerce and the First United Methodist Church.
Along the way Gale served as a member of the Missouri National Guard.
The Missouri Dairy Products Association nominated Gale to receive the Dairy Hall of Honors Leadership Award.