James "Tom" P. Camerlo

James P. "Tom" Camerlo of Florence has dedicated his life to agriculture. Camerlo earned a bachelor's degree from Colorado State University in agriculture. Following college, he served his country for 6 1/2 years with the 101st Airborne as a senior parachutist, receiving his honorable discharge as a captain before returning to the dairy in Florence. As a dairyman, Camerlo has made invaluable contributions to the industry. In addition to having a voice on many committees and advisory boards, Camerlo is vice chairman of Dairy Farmers of America, the world's largest dairy cooperative, and chairman of DFA Mountain Area Council, elected by his constituents in southern Colorado. Camerlo has served as president of the National Milk Producers' Federation, based in Washington, D.C. He impacts national policy through membership on the board of the U.S. Dairy Export Council and holds appointments to the National Commission on Dairy Policy; A-PAC (a private sector trade advisory committee to the U.S. Trade Office); and was appointed to ACTPIN (Presidential Advisory Committee on Trade Policy and Negotiations) by President Bush and then by President Clinton.