American Mushroom Institute's leadership transition
American Mushroom Institute's leadership transition
In early June, Patricia Foss-Bennie was appointed as the new president of the American Mushroom Institute. She joined the organization in November as executive director. Former AMI president Laura Phelps has transitioned to managing AMI’s legislative and regulatory issues as a consultant based at the Washington, DC, law firm McLeod, Watkinson & Miller.
"This is an amazing organization that has accomplished so much under Laura’s leadership," Foss-Bennie said in a press release. "I am honored to have been appointed as the new president and will give 150 percent of my ability to ensure AMI’s continued success in the future. We are lucky that Laura has agreed to stay on as a consultant in those areas where she has been such an industry leader and I am personally lucky to continue to be able to learn from her and our volunteer leaders and members."
Foss-Bennie’s previous experience includes working for the National Association of Wheat Growers in Washington, DC, the Produce Marketing Association, in Newark, DE, and the North Dakota Farm Bureau. Her past responsibilities include the management and creation of convention, exposition and sponsorship programs, strategic and business planning, and corporate relations.
Phelps first worked with the mushroom industry in securing passage of the Fresh Mushroom Promotion, Research & Consumer Information Act in the 1990 farm bill. Afterwards, she managed the AMI government relations program and assisted with expanding the organization to one with a national focus. She became president in 1992.
“Over the past 25 years I’ve had the opportunity to learn from three generations of mushroom farm families,” Phelps said in the release. “I appreciate the trust they placed in me and the friendships I’ve made. We should all be proud of AMI’s accomplishments in particular the food-safety and integrated pest management programs. I look forward to continued involvement, but maybe with a little less stress.”
The American Mushroom Institute is a national voluntary trade association representing the growers, processors and marketers of cultivated mushrooms in the United States and industry suppliers worldwide.
