Pet and feed industry bodies welcome new leadership

With new presidents, directors and senior executives in place, industry bodies are gearing up to tackle industry challenges and opportunities.

FoodDrinkEurope 

Europe’s food industry federation, FoodDrinkEurope, has named Pablo Perversi as its new President. Perversi succeeded Henrik Samuelson, who was the President for the past year.

Perversi is the Europe Zone President of French multinational Danone. FoodDrinkEurope’s Board of Directors elected him on 13 November.

“I am honored to take on the role of President of FoodDrinkEurope at such a pivotal moment for our industry. This sector is deeply rooted in tradition and diversity, yet stands at the forefront of sustainability, health, and resilience,” says Perversi.

The European Pet Food Industry Federation (FEDIAF) is a member of FoodDrinkEurope. In July, both associations supported a joint statement urging the European Commission to reconsider proposed EU waste sorting guidelines, arguing that the new rules could create unnecessary complexity and costs for pet food and packaging manufacturers.

FEDIAF 

Milica Jevtić is the new Secretary General of the European Pet Food Industry Federation (FEDIAF). 

She will be responsible for strengthening its role as the voice of the European pet food industry, promoting safe, nutritious and sustainable pet food.

Prior to her appointment, Jevtić worked for other industry federations, including the European Fruit Juice Association (AIJN) and the European Cider and Fruit Wine Association (AICV).

The Federation believes that this appointment reflects FEDIAF’s “ongoing commitment to strengthening its leadership team and ensuring a coordinated, forward-looking approach to representing the European pet food industry at EU level.”

AFIA

Megan Provost has joined the American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) as the new Chief Operating Officer (COO). Provost will be responsible for improving organizational operations and strategy.

The COO brings more than two decades of leadership experience in agricultural policy, trade association management and public affairs. Most recently, she was president of RISE (Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment).

She also held positions at the Farm Foundation, Dow AgroSciences, the US Senate, the US Department of Agriculture and the American Farm Bureau Federation.

“As a trusted advisor to the executive team, she will help lead the development and implementation of initiatives that advance AFIA’s strategic goals, foster transparency, and promote a productive and mission-driven culture,” says AFIA’s President and CEO Constance Cullman.

FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) has named Timothy Schell as its new Director. He will lead the CVM in the regulation of animal food, drugs and devices.

Schell first joined CVM in 2000, where he started as a reviewer of new animal drugs for swine and poultry. He was also Deputy Director of the Division of Animal Feeds from 2009 to 2014, and served as director and deputy at CVM’s Office of Research for more than a year.

“Dr. Schell’s long-standing commitment to science-based decision-making and his deep understanding of the myriad animal feed and pet food ingredients and innovations coming to market will serve the industry and consumers well,” says AFIA’s Constance Cullman.

“The AFIA congratulates longtime animal food safety proponent Timothy Schell on his appointment as Director of the FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine,” says Cullman.

Additionally, AHI President and CEO Martha Scott Poindexter states that the animal health industry relies on CVM to bring “safe and effective medicines to market.” “I look forward to working with Dr. Schell and his team to make the United States the best market in the world for the development and review of innovative animal health products.”

IFFO

The Marine Ingredients Organisation (IFFO) announced Adriana Giudice as its next President and Egil Magne Haugstad as Vice-President for the 2026-2027 term.

Giudice is the CEO of Austral Group and a board member of IFFO Latin America for the 2024-2025 term. Austral Group is a producer of fishmeal, fish oil and frozen fish in Peru.

Haugstad is the president of the current IFFO board for the 2024-2025 term and a member of the board in Europe. He has been the CEO of Pelagia AS since 2014, a Norway-headquartered fishmeal and fish oil maker.

“IFFO’s role as a global meeting place for the marine ingredients industry continues to grow, and I am committed to supporting its efforts in fostering collaboration and efficiency,” Haugstad says.