Jill Allen has spent more than two decades shaping the future of dairy in Oregon, combining technical expertise with a passion for quality and innovation. A graduate of Oregon State University in agricultural business, she returned to Tillamook County and began her career at the Creamery, gaining hands-on experience that eventually led her to her current role as Director of Product Excellence at the Tillamook County Creamery Association (TCCA). In this position, Jill oversees product development, sensory evaluation, and Tillamook’s cheddar aging program, ensuring that every product meets the highest standards of taste, texture, and sustainability. She has guided the launch of award-winning lines, including Farmstyle Gelato, and advanced the company’s “Dairy Done Right” initiative that reinforces Tillamook’s reputation for responsible food production. “My career started with a simple curiosity—wanting to understand why food tastes the way it does and how it connects to people. That curiosity led me to sensory science, where I learned to listen not just WR ŅDYRUV EXW WR WKH VWRULHV EHKLQG HDFK SURGXFW ú she said. Jill's expertise has earned recognition nationally and internationally. Jill has judged at prestigious competitions including the International Cheese Awards in England, the World Championship Cheese Contest in the U.S., and the World Cheese Awards in Europe, EHFRPLQJ 7LOODPRRN÷V ńUVW LQWHUQDWLRQDO MXGJH 6KH LV DOVR D &HUWLńHG &KHHVH 3URIHVVLRQDO DQG D FRQWULEXWRU to The Oxford Companion to Cheese. Beyond her professional achievements, Jill mentors students through FFA, supports Oregon’s artisan dairy sector, and lives with her family on a Tillamook County dairy farm, embodying the values she promotes in her work. My time at OSU was foundational, and LW JDYH PH WKH H[SHUWLVH DQG VFLHQWL¿F background to be able to approach problems holistically through science and understanding economic and environmental impacts. This has carried me through in all of the work and all the roles that I've had at Tillamook, and this opportunity brings me joy E\ R̆ HULQJ QHZ SURGXFWV to the world. Jill Allen CAS Alumni Leader Award 13 PROGRESS | FALL 2025
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