AFFI elects officers, board members at meeting

Feb. 25, 2015

The American Frozen Food Institute (AFFI) has elected its officers and newest members of its board of directors.

The American Frozen Food Institute (AFFI) has elected its officers and newest members of its board of directors. These elections took place at the AFFI Annual Meeting and Keynote Breakfast, held in conjunction with this week’s 2015 AFFI Frozen Food Convention (AFFI-CON) in Anaheim CA. Newly elected AFFI officers are: Paul Bakus of Nestlé USA as chairman, Larry Cope of Clear Springs Foods as vice-chairman, and Dave Yanda of Lakeside Foods Inc as immediate past chairman. Bakus is president of corporate affairs for Nestlé USA. Cope is president, chief executive officer, and executive chairman of Clear Springs Foods, a Buhl ID-based company. Yanda is president and CEO of Lakeside Foods, Inc. an international private-label food maker headquartered in Manitowoc WI.

The eight board members elected to three-year terms are: Rick Anderson of Little Lady Foods Inc; Larry Cope of Clear Springs Foods; Wesley Eubanks of The Pictsweet Co; Greg Evans of McCain Foods Ltd; Ed Flanagan of Jasper Wyman & Son Inc; Steve Lezman of Tropicana Products Inc; Sara Lilygren of Tyson Foods; and Mike McEvoy of Sargento Foods Inc. Los Angeles Dodgers co-owner and media mogul Peter Guber entertained and informed delegates as the featured speaker at the AFFI Annual Meeting and Keynote Breakfast. Guber, the founder, chairman, and CEO of the multimedia Mandalay Entertainment Group, has produced five motion pictures that were nominated for Best Picture by the Academy of Motion Pictures. He shared with delegates the importance of telling purposeful stories to propel business success. AFFI also unveiled its new logo and brand during the annual meeting, which was highlighted in a 2014 year-in-review video and annual report. More information can be found at www.affi.org.