American Meat Institute, Washington, D.C.
Elected to the chairmanship for 2012-2013 is Nick Meriggioli, executive vice president of Kraft Foods Group and president of Oscar Mayer. Greg Benedict, president and COO, American Foods Group LLC, will serve as the new vice chairman. Elected to serve as treasurer for the 2012-2013 term is Gary Jacobson, chief operating officer of Indiana Packers. David McDonald, president of OSI Group, LLC, is a new incoming officer and will serve as secretary. Larry Odom, former chairman, president and CEO of Odom’s Tennessee Pride Sausage Inc., becomes the immediate past chairman. J. Patrick Boyle was re-elected to serve a 24th term as the institute’s president and CEO. New directors include William Fielding, chief executive officer of HeartBrand Beef, Inc.; Craig Hess, president, Speco, Inc.; Tom Kittle, president, Handtmann; James Renda, executive vice president and COO, Multisorb Technologies; and Harlan VandeZandschulp, president, Gleeson Construction and Engineers. Also joining AMI’s executive committee is Jeff Eastman, chief executive officer, Alchemy Systems; Warren Panico, president and COO, Bar-S Foods Co.; and William Toler, president and CEO, AdvancePierre Foods.