Industry veteran Phil Kafarakis to take on role as CEO
The International Foodservice Manufacturers Association (IFMA) appointed Phil Kafarakis as its new president and chief executive officer. Beginning Nov. 1, 2021, Kafarakis will be responsible for overseeing IFMA's day-to-day operations and will direct the activities of the association in support of policies, goals and objectives established by its Board of Directors.
Kafarakis, an accomplished senior executive with broad experience leading major food industry companies and associations, joins IFMA with a proven track record of bottom-line results. Beginning his career in the industry on the manufacturing side of the business, Kafarakis successfully led and managed businesses at Kraft, Jones Dairy Farm, Cargill, and McCormick & Co., where he also served on IFMA's Board of Directors. Most recently, he served as President of the Specialty Food Association (SFA), representing more than 4,000 small and emerging food entrepreneurs in the $160 Billion US Specialty Food Industry.