The newly formed North American Meat Association (NAMA), formed by the merger of the North American Meat Processors Association (NAMP) and the National Meat Association (NMA), announced its slate of officers, upcoming events and senior executive staff at last week's NAMP Management Conference, held at the Drake Hotel in Chicago.

NAMA plans to begin operation on July 1, 2012. With more than 700 member companies in the United States, Canada, Mexico and other countries, the new association will maintain offices in Reston, Va., and Oakland, Calif.

The NAMA officers will indluce:

Co-Chairs of the Board: Larry Vad, Ideal Meat & Provision; Jeff Saval, Deli Brands of America

Co-Presidents: Mike Satzow, North Country Smokehouse, Marty Evanson, Jobbers Meat Packing

Co-Vice Presidents: Mike Hesse, BPI; Tony Gahn Jr., Gahn Meat Co. Inc.

Co-Treasurers: John Vatri, Cardinal Meat Specialists; Brian Coello, Central Valley Meat

Co-Secretaries: Don Clift, Preferred Beef Group; Joe Maas, JTM Provisions

The NAMA senior executive staff will include Barry Carpenter as CEO and Phillip H. Kimball, CAE, as executive director.

Upcoming events for the new association include the NAMA Outlook Conference, scheduled for October 24-27 at the J.W. Marriott Hill Country in San Antonio Texas and the NAMA MeatEXPO '13, scheduled for February 10-13, 2013, at The Mirage Hotel in Las Vegas, Nev. This year's Outlook Conference will also feature the Meat Industry Hall of Fame induction Ceremony and dinner on October 27.

Source: NAMA