AMI elects new officers

The American Meat Institute (AMI) has elected the six officers who will guide the organization through the next year. The election was held at AMI’s Board of Directors Meeting in Toronto.

Elected to the chairmanship for 2012-2013 is Nick Meriggioli, EVP, Kraft Foods Group & President, Oscar Mayer. Meriggioli has been president of Oscar Mayer since 2008. Prior to that Meriggioli was vice president of marketing and strategy for the brand.

Greg Benedict, president and COO, American Foods Group LLC will serve as the new Vice Chairman. Benedict, has been in the industry more than 30 years. He began his career in 1980 with Rosen’s Diversified Inc. In 2005, Rosen’s Diversified LLC merged its meat processing companies with American Foods Group Inc. to create American Foods Group LLC.

Elected to serve as Treasurer for the 2012-2013 term is Gary Jacobson, COO of Indiana Packers. Jacobson joined the company in 1993 as plant manager and has served as vice president of operations and executive vice president. Prior to joining Indiana Packers, Jacobson held positions with Dubuque Packing Company/FDL Foods and Armour & Company.

David McDonald, President of OSI Group, LLC is a new incoming officer and will serve as secretary. McDonald has had a variety roles at OSI Group, starting there as an intern 25 years ago.

Larry Odom, former chairman, president and CEO of Odom’s Tennessee Pride Sausage Inc. becomes the immediate past chairman. Odom worked in various positions for Odom’s Tennessee Pride Sausage Inc. for 36 years.

J. Patrick Boyle was reelected by the AMI membership to serve a 24th term as the Institute’s president and CEO.

Five new directors were elected to the AMI Board of Directors. The new members will serve a three-year term.

New directors include:

• Wiiliam Fielding, CEO, HeartBrand Beef Inc.

• Craig Hess, President, Speco Inc.

• Tom Kittle, President, Handtmann

• James Renda, Executive Vice President & COO, Multisorb Technologies

• Harlan Vande Zandschulp, President, Gleeson Construction and Engineers

Also joining AMI’s Executive Committee is Jeff Eastman, CEO, Alchemy Systems, Warren Panico, President & COO, Bar-S Foods Co., and William Toler, President and CEO, AdvancePierre Foods.

Source: AMI

KEYWORDS: AMI

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