Naasz to Leave AFFI at Year’s End
Institute names Joseph Clayton Interim President, announces intent to launch national search
American Frozen Food Institute (AFFI) President and CEO Kraig R. Naasz today informed the AFFI Board of Directors at its fall meeting in Washington, D.C., of his intent to resign at year’s end. Naasz informed the board of his decision, after nearly seven years at the helm of AFFI, to accept the role of president and CEO of the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS).
“It’s been an honor and privilege to work with such an engaged membership and skilled staff to advance the interests of the frozen food and beverage community,” said Naasz. “I’m especially pleased to have led AFFI’s efforts to invite consumers, key opinion leaders and policy makers to take a fresh look at frozen through the FROZEN. HOW FRESH STAYS FRESH. campaign,” said Naasz.
“We greatly appreciate and value Kraig’s leadership of AFFI over these past seven years,” said AFFI Chair and Nestle President of Corporate Affairs Paul Bakus. “AFFI has added 170 new members over the past three years, grown its annual budget from $3.5 million to $25 million and significantly enhanced the value derived by its nearly 500 members during Kraig’s tenure,” said Bakus.
In keeping with the Institute’s executive succession plan, the AFFI Board of Directors today announced AFFI Executive Vice President of Public Affairs Joseph Clayton will serve as interim president pending the national search and selection of a successor to Naasz.
“We’re very pleased that Kraig has agreed to remain at AFFI through the end of the year to aid the search process and an orderly transition,” said Bakus. “AFFI has named a search committee and will select an executive search firm in the very near future to assist with its national search,” concluded Bakus.
“It’s been an honor and privilege to work with such an engaged membership and skilled staff to advance the interests of the frozen food and beverage community,” said Naasz. “I’m especially pleased to have led AFFI’s efforts to invite consumers, key opinion leaders and policy makers to take a fresh look at frozen through the FROZEN. HOW FRESH STAYS FRESH. campaign,” said Naasz.
“We greatly appreciate and value Kraig’s leadership of AFFI over these past seven years,” said AFFI Chair and Nestle President of Corporate Affairs Paul Bakus. “AFFI has added 170 new members over the past three years, grown its annual budget from $3.5 million to $25 million and significantly enhanced the value derived by its nearly 500 members during Kraig’s tenure,” said Bakus.
In keeping with the Institute’s executive succession plan, the AFFI Board of Directors today announced AFFI Executive Vice President of Public Affairs Joseph Clayton will serve as interim president pending the national search and selection of a successor to Naasz.
“We’re very pleased that Kraig has agreed to remain at AFFI through the end of the year to aid the search process and an orderly transition,” said Bakus. “AFFI has named a search committee and will select an executive search firm in the very near future to assist with its national search,” concluded Bakus.
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