2009 Louisiana Yambilee Ying

Jeff was born on January 5, 1959. He is the youngest of 7 children, born to Ben and the late Jay Kleinpeter. He attended grade school at St. George Catholic School in Baton Rouge, LA. He attended and received his high school diploma from Episcopal High School in Baton Rouge. Jeff graduated with a B.S. in Marketing from LSU in Baton Rouge.

Upon graduation, Jeff began a 5 year career in the construction industry, and during this time, restored the Kleinpeter Family Home, built in 1850, for his Dad, Ben Kleinpeter, who was rescuing the home from certain ruin.

In 1987, Dad, Ben Kleinpeter, purchased the Family Business, Kleinpeter Farms Dairy, from his 4 brothers. That’s when Jeff returned to work for his Dad at the Family Business as Personnel Manager, Fleet Manager, Safety Manager, and Insurance and Benefits Manager.

Upon the death of their Company President, Tom Zicarelli, Jeff became Company President and sister, Sue Anne Kleinpeter Cox became CFO.

At their guidance, along with a wonderful team, including 1,400 cows, Kleinpeter Farms Dairy has grown by leaps and bounds. They added Louisiana’s only ice cream plant in 2008, they’ve doubled the size of their team of personnel, they’ve incorporated Louisiana Products into their ice cream flavors, including Louisiana Cane Sugar, Bruce Foods Sweet Potatoes, Bergeron’s Pecans, Ponchatoula Strawberries, Community Coffee, Aunt Sally’s Pralines, and Ruston Peaches just to name a few. And Jeff says, there’s more to come!

Jeff, and sister Sue Anne, are both very passionate about quality and customer service, and this philosophy has given them the opportunity to grow into the Lake Charles, Mississippi Gulf Coast, and Alexandria areas. Their philosophy is the direct results of the hard work and dedication of their parents, Aunts, and Uncles.

Jeff married Debbie Cooper from Vidalia, LA, in 1985. They have a wonderful child together, Taylor Kleinpeter, who is currently attending Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond, LA. She is majoring in Marketing, following in her dad’s footsteps.

Jeff has 2 stepdaughters, who have 4 children each. One set live in Alexandria, LA, and the other set live in Baton Rouge, LA. We’re literally spreading out across the State, Jeff says.

Jeff receive the “Marketer of the Year” award from Sales and Marketing Executives International in 2009, along with numerous other awards for the achievements of their team at Kleinpeter Farms Dairy.

Jeff also received the “Power of 9” award in 2009, for the company’s involvement in and contributions to over 300 charities in the community.

List of Organizations Involved in, current and past:
Past Member of the Episcopal High School Board of Trustees
Past Member of the Downtown Kiwanis Club
Past YMCA Board Member
Past President of Capital Sertoma
Past Member of the Istrouma Area Boy Scouts of America Executive Board
Current Kleinpeter Farms Dairy, L.L.C. Board President
Current Member of the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank Board of Directors
Current Member of the Better Business Bureau Executive Board of Directors
Current Member of the American Gateway Bank Board of Directors
Current Member of the Advisory Board of the LSU Food Science Department

Other recognition that Kleinpeter Farms Dairy has received since 2007:
In 2007, Kleinpeter Farms Dairy became the first dairy east of Nevada, to be Certified by the American Humane Association for the way it treats its cows. Today, Kleinpeter remains as one of only 6 dairy’s in the United States to have earned and maintained this Certification.

In 2007, Kleinpeter Farms Dairy received the Better Business Bureau “Torch Award” for its high ethics in business and high standards toward it’s employees, customers, and the community.

In 2007, Kleinpeter Farms Dairy received the Governor’s “Conservation Corporation of the Year” award, through the Louisiana Wildlife Federation for historically minimizing the company’s impact upon the environment and its sound conservation practices.

In 2008, Kleinpeter Farms Dairy was named “Business of the Year” in the over 100 employee category, by the Baton Rouge Business Report and Junior Achievement.
Also in 2008, Kleinpeter Farms Dairy was named “Best Place to Work” by Louisiana Life Magazine.

Also in 2008, Kleinpeter Farms Dairy received the “Clean Business of the Year” award, given by Keep Baton Rouge Beautiful.

In 2008, Kleinpeter Farms Dairy also received the “Legion of Honor” award by the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank, for its contributions of milk and other resources to help feed the hungry in our communities.

In 2009, father, Ben Kleinpeter, was inducted into Louisiana State University’s “Laureate Society”.

In 2001, Ben was also inducted into the St. Stanislaus “Hall of Fame”, and in 2008, Ben was inducted as a “Louisiana Legend” by Louisiana Public Broadcasting, for bringing pride to the State of Louisiana.