AFIA Names New CEO/President
Joel Newman, president, United Cooperative Farmers, Fitchburg, Mass., is the new chief executive officer and president of the American Feed Industry Association (AFIA), succeeding David A. Bossman who announced retirement plans last September. Newman was the unanimous recommendation of an industry search committee, headed by immediate past Association chair Steve Koenig, Bioproducts, Inc.
Newman becomes only the eighth president in AFIA’s 95-year history. He currently serves as the Association’s chairman, a post he will continue until he assumes his new position on November 1, 2004. At that time, chair-elect Robert Gallaway, Ridley, Inc., will ascend to the chairmanship.
Newman brings over 30 years of diverse agribusiness career experience to AFIA. This includes four years with UCF, six years with Maple Leaf Foods and 23 years with Agway, Inc. His current company operates three feed plants, serving poultry and dairy customers throughout New England and New York.
The challenge of leading an organization with such a storied history appeals very much to Joel Newman. “This is a busy and exciting time for the industry,” Newman says. “We are in a transition period. Looking at where AFIA is today and adapting to the changing needs of our members represents a tremendous challenge and opportunity. I am looking forward to working with the AFIA membership and staff in taking the Association to the next threshold of leadership for our industry. I am honored to accept this important responsibility involving such a prestigious and influential agricultural leader.”
David Bossman has served as AFIA’s CEO and president since May 1992. He will officially retire at the end of this year. In announcing his decision last fall, Bossman said, “Heading this great Association for the past 12 years has been a challenge, a pleasure and great honor. My passion for the industry and feeding a hungry world continues; but, I have many other interests that I still want to pursue.” Certainly, some of those latter interests are related to the feed industry and animal agriculture. An industry appreciation and retirement ceremony is planned for him on Sept. 21, 2004 during the AFIA Fall Forum in Baltimore, Md.
Other members of the Presidential Search group included Dwight Armstrong, North American Nutrition Companies; Bill Barr, Bill Barr and Company; Robert Gallaway, Ridley Inc. and David Bossman.
AFIA is the only national trade association devoted exclusively to representing the interests of the animal feed industry and its suppliers. Membership includes feed and pet food manufacturers, ingredient manufacturers and suppliers, equipment manufacturers, and companies that supply goods and services to those agricultural sectors. AFIA’s nearly 600 corporate members manufacture 75 percent of the nation’s primary commercial feed. [Source: AFIA]
