A new board of directors and officers were elected during this year’s Annual Convention of the Food Industry Association Executives (FIAE), a national professional association representing local, state and regional food association executives. The new board assumed office immediately following the meeting, which was held in Savannah, Georgia, Nov. 12-14.
“FIAE proudly represents the best of the best across the country. I am honored and privileged to be the first chairperson from the great state of Alabama and am pleased to serve this great organization,” said Ellie Taylor, president of the Alabama Grocers Association and incoming chairwoman. “I have big shoes to fill as Jamie Pfuhl from the Minnesota Grocers Association moves to outgoing chairperson. Under her leadership, we have transitioned to new leadership, created a new, fresh look and logo, and undertaken exciting new initiatives.”
Besides Taylor, the newly elected officers are: Vice Chairman, Brian Jordan, president, Illinois Food Retailers Association; Secretary-Treasurer, Tim McCabe, president, Arizona Food Marketing Alliance; Immediate Past Chair, Jamie Pfuhl, president, Minnesota Grocers Association.
Newly elected members joining the board of directors are: Julie Miro Wenger, executive director, Delaware Food Industry Council; Rob Ikard, president and CEO, Tennessee Grocers & Convenience Store Association; Kathy Kuzava, president, Georgia Food Industry Association; Michelle Hurd, CAE, president, Iowa Grocery Industry Association; and Genna Gent, SVP, government affairs, American Beverage Association.
Board members returning for 2016 are: Lee Anderson, General Mills; Derek Crawford, Kraft Heinz; Dave Davis, Utah Food Industry Association; Pat Davis, Food Marketing Institute; Greg Ferrara, National Grocers Association; Jan Gee, Washington Food Industry Association; Amanda Hagan, Grocery Manufacturers Association; Stefani Millie Grant, Unilever; and Tracy Mihas, Mondelez Global.
FIAE also extended its thanks to the outgoing board members for their years of service, including: Ron Fong, California Grocers Association; Stan Sorkin, Connecticut Food Association; Nate Filler, Ohio Grocers Association; and Kimberly O’Brien, Monsanto.
FIAE names 2015 convention a success
The 88th gathering of the Food Industry Association Executives (FIAE), which took place earlier this month in Savannah, Georgia, was themed “Fresh Thinking for Food Execs, Y’all,” and was attended by most of the state’s food industry associations, as well as manufacturer and supplier companies and representatives from national, food-related trade groups.
“This year’s convention program addressed what our members have been asking for…specific education geared to growing the state-based association and education focused for the state association senior staff,” said Ellie Taylor, Alabama Grocers Association, and chairwoman of this year’s convention. “From the keynote presentations, to the popular roundtable sessions, the state executives learned and shared best practices happening around the country.”
The keynote address, “Are You Relevant in Today’s World?” presented by Brian Riggs from AMR Management Services, challenged members to discuss outside and internal forces, as well as technology changes, to help them take on the changing marketplace. Riggs continued his presentation with the state executives during their roundtable session and provided them with tools to use during strategic planning.
Pat Davis from the Food Marketing Institute and Greg Ferrara from the National Grocers Association outlined what’s on the horizon in a panel discussion on “Emerging Issues.” Genna Gent from the American Beverage Association unveiled the new Mixify campaign, and Lee Anderson from General Mills educated attendees on the “Major Changes Ahead for U.S. Nutritional Guidance.”
Technology expert Beth Ziesenis, dubbed “Your Nerdy Best Friend,” gave a presentation on the latest “tech weapons” for association executives. Cassandra Pye, founder of 3.14 Communications, led a panel discussion on “Creating A Communications Program.” The panelists included Ron Fong, California Grocers Association; Brandon Scholz, Wisconsin Grocers Association; and Kathy Siefken, Nebraska Grocery Industry Association. Pye also presented “Communicating in the Scandalous Age.”
Other convention highlights included a silent auction benefiting the FIAE Professional Development Fund, which raised in excess of $6,000, and the presentation of the Grocery Manufacturers Association’s annual Excellence in Government Affairs Award to Shelley Doak, executive director of the Maine Grocers & Food Producers Association.
Next year’s convention will take place at the Hyatt Lost Pines in Austin, Texas, Nov. 14-16.
FIAE unveils new look with logo, website
The FIAE has unveiled a new logo and a redesigned website. “It was time to refresh the FIAE brand with a revitalized and energized look for an association that is growing and changing,” said Jamie Pfuhl, Minnesota Grocers Association, and outgoing chairwoman of the national group. “This past year was one of great transition for us. The board of directors, in keeping with this new time, made the decision to refresh the look of FIAE and have selected a new logo—and a new tag line—that we believe reflects the new direction of the food industry.”
The logo includes an image of a grocery cart, which FIAE calls a “longstanding and traditional symbol of the food and grocery industry.” A tag line, “Leading the Food Industry, State by State,” has been included for the first time to help clarify exactly what FIAE represents.
The FIAE website can now be accessed with mobile devices, and members can use it to process meeting and dues payments.
“We are proud of the new look and the new direction of the Food Industry Association Executives, and invite the national trade groups, the retail, wholesale and manufacturing/supplier arms of the industry to partner with us going forward,” Pfuhl said.
