Leslie G. Sarasin to lead FMI
Leslie G. Sarasin to lead FMI
ARLINGTON, VA -- The Food Marketing Institute's CEO Search Committee announced Oct. 3 its selection of Leslie G. Sarasin as president and chief executive officer.
Ms. Sarasin will be presented to the FMI board at its October meeting in Boston, and she will start at FMI in early November.
"I speak for the entire board when I say that we are very eager to welcome Leslie aboard," FMI board Chairman Steven C. Smith, president and CEO of K- VA-T Food Stores Inc., said in a statement. "She is well connected with our industry and brings a wealth of experience to her new post as well as a great deal of enthusiasm and excitement. I am confident that under her leadership, we will be able to move the association forward at a critical time for our industry."
Ronald D. Pearson, chairman emeritus of Hy-Vee Inc. and chairman of FMIs CEO Search Committee, added, "I am extremely pleased that the search committee had the opportunity to consider such well-qualified candidates from across the United States. I am grateful for the commitment and complete engagement of the committee in this important process."
Ms. Sarasin has been president and chief executive officer of the American Frozen Food Institute since 1999. She also serves as president of the National Yogurt Association, an association that AFFI manages, and has oversight responsibility for the National Frozen Pizza Institute, Frozen Potato Products Institute, International Frozen Food Association, Texas Mexico Frozen Food Council and Food Processing Environmental Conference. She joined AFFI in 1989.
Previously she worked as director of government relations, and as legal counsel, with the National Food Brokers Association and as legal counsel and assistant to the president at Crest International Corp.
Early in her career, she worked for Salomon Brothers Investment Bankers and for U.S. Sen. Wendell H. Ford (D-KY), who served in the Senate from 1974 to 1999.
"I could not be more pleased to have been selected to serve as president and CEO of FMI, and very much look forward to working with FMI's board, members and associate members as well as the associates at FMI to pursue the issues of importance to the food industry and to fulfill the mission of the organization," Ms. Sarasin said in the statement.
Ms. Sarasin is a member of the American Bar Association and is admitted to practice law in California and Washington, DC.
She serves on the board of directors of the Texas Mexico Frozen Food Council and as chairman of the Food Industry Environmental Council. She also serves on the boards of directors of the Produce for Better Health Foundation, the Partnership for Food Safety Education and the National Chamber Foundation.
Ms. Sarasin resides in McLean, VA, with her husband, former U.S. Rep. Ronald A. Sarasin (R-CT), and their son, Douglas.
Ms. Sarasin will be presented to the FMI board at its October meeting in Boston, and she will start at FMI in early November.
"I speak for the entire board when I say that we are very eager to welcome Leslie aboard," FMI board Chairman Steven C. Smith, president and CEO of K- VA-T Food Stores Inc., said in a statement. "She is well connected with our industry and brings a wealth of experience to her new post as well as a great deal of enthusiasm and excitement. I am confident that under her leadership, we will be able to move the association forward at a critical time for our industry."
Ronald D. Pearson, chairman emeritus of Hy-Vee Inc. and chairman of FMIs CEO Search Committee, added, "I am extremely pleased that the search committee had the opportunity to consider such well-qualified candidates from across the United States. I am grateful for the commitment and complete engagement of the committee in this important process."
Ms. Sarasin has been president and chief executive officer of the American Frozen Food Institute since 1999. She also serves as president of the National Yogurt Association, an association that AFFI manages, and has oversight responsibility for the National Frozen Pizza Institute, Frozen Potato Products Institute, International Frozen Food Association, Texas Mexico Frozen Food Council and Food Processing Environmental Conference. She joined AFFI in 1989.
Previously she worked as director of government relations, and as legal counsel, with the National Food Brokers Association and as legal counsel and assistant to the president at Crest International Corp.
Early in her career, she worked for Salomon Brothers Investment Bankers and for U.S. Sen. Wendell H. Ford (D-KY), who served in the Senate from 1974 to 1999.
"I could not be more pleased to have been selected to serve as president and CEO of FMI, and very much look forward to working with FMI's board, members and associate members as well as the associates at FMI to pursue the issues of importance to the food industry and to fulfill the mission of the organization," Ms. Sarasin said in the statement.
Ms. Sarasin is a member of the American Bar Association and is admitted to practice law in California and Washington, DC.
She serves on the board of directors of the Texas Mexico Frozen Food Council and as chairman of the Food Industry Environmental Council. She also serves on the boards of directors of the Produce for Better Health Foundation, the Partnership for Food Safety Education and the National Chamber Foundation.
Ms. Sarasin resides in McLean, VA, with her husband, former U.S. Rep. Ronald A. Sarasin (R-CT), and their son, Douglas.
