Blakely has enjoyed a long, multi-faceted dairy career, which has spanned an unusually broad range of responsibilities in fields of teaching, manufacturing, quality assurance and marketing. Over the course of his career, Blakely has contributed in many ways and roles to the advancement of the American dairy industry.

Blakely's successful career in the dairy industry was built on an impressive foundation of academic achievement. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Food Technology from the University of Georgia in 1962 and subsequently earned Master of Science and Doctoral degrees in Food Science from MichiganStateUniversity.

After receiving his doctorate, Blakely began teaching future dairy industry managers as an Assistant Professor at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls and later moved to the well-regarded dairy science program at TexasTechUniversity in Lubbock, Texas. 

After several years of teaching Blakely's expertise was sought by the dairy industry, and he joined Dairyman's Cooperative Creamery Association (DCCA) in 1973 as Senior VP of Manufacturing.

In 1999, DCCA merged with Land O' Lakes where Blakely assumed the role of Vice President of Quality Assurance. In 2002, Blakely was named Chief Technical Officer for Cheese & Protein International LLC, which was acquired by Saputo and reorganized as Saputo Cheese & Protein. Blakely, who retired last fall, still remains active in the dairy business taking on various consulting assignments from Land O' Lakes and other industry clients. 

During his long and distinguished dairy career, Blakely had a very active relationship with the American Dairy Products Institute. Since 1973, Blakely has served on ADPI's Technical Committee, Board of Directors and Executive Committee as well as eight years as an officer including President of ADPI from 1999-2001.

Blakely has also served on numerous dairy industry scientific and research advisory committees. He is currently serving on the 3-A Sanitary Standards Board of Directors where he will play a key role in developing dairy and food equipments standards that underlie the strong safety record of the dairy industry. Blakely will also serve as the Chairman of the Organizing Committee for the 2011 International Whey Conference, which will be held in Chicago in 2011.

Blakely was born and raised in rural western New York, and now resides in Visalia, California with his wife of 26 years, Fern. They have three grown sons, Steve, Michael and Brandon.