Ralph D. Crowley, chairman of the Board of the American Beverage Association (ABA), announced appointment of Susan Neely, former assistant secretary (Public Affairs) for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, as president of the association. Neely succeeds William L. Ball, III, who served as the association's president from 1989 until March 2005.
"I am extremely pleased to welcome Susan Neely to the association. She was chosen following an exhaustive search that produced a number of highly qualified candidates," Crowley said. "Her expertise in health policy and communications will prove invaluable as the industry strengthens its focus on health and nutrition issues."