“This year’s record participation reflects the momentum and resilience of the frozen food industry,” said AFFI President and CEO Alison Bodor. “AFFI-CON continues to be where leaders come together to exchange ideas, address shared challenges and shape the future of frozen.”

At AFFI-CON, the association unveiled “Fresh Thinking About Frozen,” a digital-forward communications initiative designed to increase consumer appreciation of frozen food’s quality, nutrition and role in reducing food waste.  

“This campaign is about sharing the positive story of frozen food,” Bodor said. “Frozen foods deliver whole-food nutrition and real meal solutions for modern consumers.”

During AFFI’s Annual Membership Meeting, members elected new officers, Executive Committee members, and directors to the AFFI Board.

• The 2026 AFFI Board officers are:Chair: Debbie Radie, Chief Quality Stewardship Officer, Boardman Foods
• Chair-Elect: Jeff Preston, Managing Director, Americas, ArdoVLM
• Immediate Past Chair: Suvan Sharma, President, Jain Farm Fresh Foods

The Executive Committee, serving alongside the officers, includes:

• Tracey Beck, Vice President, Chief Counsel – Marketing & Government Affairs, Conagra Brand
• Rick Holdren, Executive Vice President, Manufacturing and Logistics Chief Operating Officer, Pictsweet Company
• Kelley Martin, Vice President Sales, North America—Foodservice, Nortera
• Rebecca Scheidler, Senior Vice President & General Manager of Consumer Foods, The J.M. Smucker Co.

Newly elected Board of Directors members serving three-year terms include:

• Rick Anderson, CEO, Harvest Food Group
• Marco Cruz, Managing Director, Superior Foods International, A Viru Group Company
• Dale Goyer, CEO, Twin City Foods
• Eugene Imm, Head of Strategic Branding and Marketing, Ajinomoto Foods North America
• Kelley Martin, Vice President Sales, North America—Foodservice, Nortera
• Suvan Sharma, President, Jain Farm Fresh Foods
• John Tentomas, CEO, Nature’s Touch Frozen Foods
• Keith Tiegs, CEO, Oregon Potato Company

AFFI-CON also honored leaders whose work continues to shape the frozen food industry.

Asun Romero, Executive Director of Global Supply at Superior Foods International, received the AFFI Woman of the Year Award, which recognizes outstanding leadership and lasting contributions to the frozen food industry.  

AFFI also welcomed three new inductees into the Frozen Food Hall of Fame, recognizing individuals and families whose dedication and leadership strengthened not only their companies, but the frozen food industry as a whole. The 2026 inductees represent decades of service and a shared commitment to advancing frozen foods as an essential part of the global food system:

• Paul DiGenova, General Manager of Commodities, Nortera
• Richard Marks, Former Chairman of the Board of Directors, Arbre Group Holding Corporation
• Frank Tiegs (posthumous), Founder, Oregon Potato Company

About AFFI
The American Frozen Food Institute is the member-driven national trade association representing all segments of the frozen food supply chain, from manufacturers and processors to suppliers and distributors. AFFI advocates on behalf of the frozen food industry before legislative and regulatory bodies, serves as the industry’s voice, and convenes leadership to advance frozen foods as an essential part of a dynamic marketplace.