North American Meat Institute (NAMI) President and CEO Barry Carpenter announced the promotion of key Meat Institute and Foundation staff.

William Westman has been named senior vice president of international affairs.  Westman joined the American Meat Institute (AMI) in 2010 after a 29-year career with the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Foreign Agricultural Service. Most recently, Westman was the Agricultural Minister Counselor at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing, where he was responsible for the overall supervision and management of USDA’s largest overseas operation. Westman is the staff liaison to the Institute’s International Affairs Committee.

Norm Robertson will serve as NAMI's vice president of regulatory services.  Robertson previously served as the executive associate director of regulatory issues at the North American Meat Association (NAMA).  Prior to joining NAMA, he spent 20 years with USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) in a variety of in-plant and district office roles.  Robertson leads the Meat Institute’s efforts to provide timely and effective regulatory assistance to NAMI members. 

Also in the regulatory services group, longtime National Meat Association and NAMA staffer Ken Mastracchio was promoted to senior director of regulatory services and Andrea Perkins was promoted to director of regulatory services.  Mastracchio joined the National Meat Association in 1993 and joined USDA in 1973.  Perkins also previously served in various inspection roles at FSIS.

Eric Zito has been named senior director of membership and exposition services.  He previously was AMI’s director of membership and exposition services, joining the organization in 2006.  Zito will oversee NAMI member benefits and recruitment and will assist with exhibit sales for the International Meat Expo and the Annual Meat Conference. 

Michael Schumpp, formerly AMI’s coordinator of legislative and public affairs, has been named manager of public affairs and member communications.  In his new role, Schumpp is the editor of the weekly publication, Lean Trimmings.

Christina Marmor has been named senior manager of meetings and conference services for NAMI. In this role, she will coordinate and execute all aspects of NAMI and NAMIF meetings. Marmor began her career in 2000 at AMI and then logged 15 years of meeting and conference management experience at other organizations before joining NAMI. 

NAMI Foundation Staff Announcements
Within the NAMI Foundation (NAMIF), Betsy Booren, Ph.D., who joined AMI and its Foundation in 2009, has been named NAMIF president.  Dr.  Booren oversees the research and technical functions of NAMIF.  She also serves as vice president of scientific affairs within NAMI.  Booren, who received her Ph.D. in food science from Texas A&M University, is a member of the National Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry Inspection.  She also serves as the liaison to the Meat Institute’s Scientific Affairs Committee. 

In addition, Susan Backus was named executive director of the NAMI Foundation.  Backus, who joined AMI in 1997, will oversee the Foundation’s operations and research grants.  Backus also serves as the Meat Institute’s vice president of regulatory and scientific programs and is the staff liaison to the Meat Institute’s Health and Wellness Advisory Committee.

“These talented individuals deserve the recognition and responsibility they are receiving,” Carpenter said.  “They will help ensure that the North American Meat Institute and our Foundation can be the world-class organizations we aim to be.  We are fortunate to have each of them on our team.”

Source: NAMI