Vivek Sankaran, President and Chief Operating Officer of snackfood giant Frito-Lay N.A. – a subsidiary of PepsiCo, Inc. – has been elected as the new chairman of the Board of Directors for the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA), the leading trade association for the US$2.1 trillion food, beverage and consumer products industry.

 

Mr Sankaran, who was elected chairman by the GMA Executive Committee effective of 1st July, will lead GMA’s Board of Directors. He will succeed Chris Policinski, who is leaving the GMA board upon his retirement as President and CEO of Land O’Lakes, Inc. at the end of June.

 

In addition, William (Billy) Cyr, CEO of Freshpet, Inc., is becoming GMA Board treasurer and Chair of the Board Finance & Audit Committee.

 

Adjusting to change in the CPG segment

 

Mr Sankaran and Mr Cyr take their new positions when GMA is in the midst of a reinvention to meet the needs of consumers, and as member companies refocus priorities at a time of significant change and disruption throughout the consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry.

 

On June 5th, GMA announced the selection of Geoff Freeman to become the organisation’s new President and CEO on 1st August. Mr Freeman is currently President and CEO of the American Gaming Association, the trade association for the U.S. casino gaming industry, and has proven experience in leading transformative change across diverse industries such as casino gaming, travel and tourism and healthcare insurance. Mr Sankaran and Mr Cyr were both members of the search committee for the new GMA president and CEO.

 

“I am honoured and excited to play a leading role in helping guide the Association through this next era of change and growth,” said Mr Sankaran. “I look forward to working in partnership with our new CEO, our Board and our membership in the pursuit of a vibrant future for GMA and our industry.”

 

Founded in 1908, GMA advocates for effective policies and fact-based regulation, with a focus on the unique needs of the consumer products industry, and works to proactively develop industry positions and solutions that enhance the lives of consumers and build consumer trust.

 

GMA’s member companies include the world’s leading food, beverage and consumer products companies. The US food, beverage and consumer packaged goods industry plays a unique role as the country’s single largest manufacturing employment sector, generating 2.1 million jobs in 30,000 communities across the nation.