Staff

KDDC's Executive Director and Dairy Consultants work to fulfill our organizations purpose statement, which is: to increase the profitability of Kentucky's dairy producers and allied industry; to foster growth and development for Kentucky's dairy industry; to promote dairy-friendly legislation; to work with regulatory agencies on rules which affect the dairy industry; to communicate relevant issues to KDDC members; to encourage cooperation with affiliated agricultural organizations to benefit all; and to support Federal Marketing Order rulings which promote fair and equitable milk prices.

Tori Embry

Executive Director

Cell: 859-516-1129 Email: [email protected]

Tori transitioned into the Executive Director role at the beginning of 2025 from her position as the Central Region Dairy Consultant. She has been with KDDC since 2022. Tori comes from a dairy background, having been raised on a small dairy farm in central Kentucky and later received her B.S. from Eastern Kentucky University and M.S. in Animal Science with a concentration on dairy health and welfare from the University of Tennessee. Tori resides in Grayson County where she raises registered Charolais cattle with her family.

Melissa Huggett

Program Coordinator

Cell: 859-516-2458 Email: mhuggett@kydairy.org

Melissa brings significant expertise to the Kentucky Dairy Development Council through her background in agriculture, leadership, and community engagement. As a family farm Owner/Operator with skills in budget management, event planning, and outreach, she is dedicated to supporting Kentucky’s dairy producers. Melissa holds an Associate Degree in Science (Sustainable Agriculture), a Bachelor’s in Agribusiness, and a master's in agriculture/Agribusiness Economics. Her collaborative style and focus on agricultural innovation make her a valued advocate for Kentucky’s farming community

Lindsie Logsdon

Central Region Dairy Consultant

Cell: 859-516-1619 Email: [email protected]

Lindsie Logsdon is a Barren County native who grew up on her family’s dairy, Kinslow Dairy, where she spent her childhood milking cows, feeding calves, and working tobacco with her grandparents. Her family continues to milk 1,000 cows today, with her husband working alongside her dad while they also manage crops, beef cattle, and sheep. Lindsie’s favorite part of farm life is raising her daughter, Gracie, on the same land she grew up on. A 4‑H and FFA alum, she earned her Agricultural Economics degree from Western Kentucky University in 2009 and studied abroad in Ecuador and Costa Rica—highlighted by a memorable rainforest trek to see Brown Swiss cattle being milked. With years of experience supporting producers through education, growth opportunities, and financial guidance, Lindsie remains dedicated to serving Kentucky farm families with a positive and practical approach.

Jared Patterson

Eastern Region Dairy Consultant

Cell: 859-516-1966 Email: jpatterson@kydairy.org

Jared Patterson was introduced to the dairy industry at a young age when his family began their dairy operation in 2009. That early experience sparked a long‑standing passion for all aspects of dairy production. He went on to earn a B.S. in Animal Science and an A.S. in Technical Agriculture from Eastern Kentucky University, further solidifying his commitment to a career in the dairy industry.
Jared’s background includes hands‑on experience working on his family’s farm as well as involvement in various opportunities offered through EKU’s agriculture program, including serving as a member of the Dairy Challenge team. These experiences have equipped him with the knowledge and practical skills to support dairy producers throughout the state.

Perry Alexander

Western Region Dairy Consultant

Cell: 270-230-6953 Email: [email protected]

Perry Alexander knew he wanted to milk cows before he graduated high school. After completing two years of vocational training in auto mechanics, he and a couple of his best friends began building a milk barn on his family farm in the fall of 1977. He was issued a permit to sell raw milk on December 27, 1977, starting with 20 Holstein heifers. Over the next 26 years, that herd grew to 130 milking cows.
Before selling the cows, Perry became involved in hauling and managing milk routes for Givens and Houchin Trucking, where he spent approximately five years. On April 1, 2003, he took a position with Dairy Marketing Services as a Field Representative and worked with Dairy Farmers of America for 23 years, retiring on March 1, 2026. Perry has been married to his wife, Freida, for 47 years, and today the family farm operates a 100-cow beef herd run by his son, Joseph, and farm manager, Lucas. Perry now serves as the Western Region Consultant for the Kentucky Dairy Development Council and looks forward to continuing to work directly with dairy producers across the region.