ASSOCIATIONS/ORGANIZATIONS: Food Marketing Institute (FMI), Arlington, Va. Susan Borra was named chief health and wellness officer and executive director of the FMI Foundation. Formerly the head of FMI’s communications department, Borra’s background as an expert in food, nutrition and health will provide content and strategic oversight of FMI’s and the foundation’s health and wellness initiatives. Borra came to FMI in 2010 from Edelman, where she served for two years as executive vice president of nutrition, food and wellness. Prior to Edelman, she was executive vice president at the International Food Information Council (IFIC), responsible for communications and public affairs strategies, management of nutrition and food safety issues and the development of consumer education initiatives and programs. In the last two years of her 16 years at IFIC, Borra also served as president of the IFIC Foundation. A registered dietitian, Borra is a former president of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and former chairman of the Academy Foundation. In a significant advancement to develop and strengthen relationship with members, FMI also named Lucas Darnell as director of the Eastern half of the United States, and Cynthia Brazzel as director of the Western region. Darnell has been a director of member services for four years, coming to FMI from the American Frozen Foods Institute (AFFI), where he dedicated efforts across multiple functions in the organization, including industry and legislative affairs and member relations. In conjunction with AFFI, Darnell was also the interim executive director of the National Frozen Pizza Institute. Brazzel is a skilled public affairs and marketing communications professional who has worked with and for Fortune 500 corporations. Beginning her career with the Kellogg Co. in consumer affairs and eventually directing government relations at the state and federal levels, Brazzel went on to become a communication and public affairs consultant, representing clients in the food, beverage and consumer products sector. Brazzel has served the last several years as a board member for Health Talents International, coordinating volunteers and translating medical services, healthcare and education to an underserved population in rural Guatemala. FMI also made the following promotions: Stephanie Barnes as chief regulatory officer and general counsel; Ashley Eisenbeiser as director, food and product safety programs; Andrew Harig as senior director, sustainability, tax and trade; Rob Rosado as senior director, food and health policy; and Hannah Walker as senior director, technology and nutrition policy.
Jacksonville Port Authority (JAXPORT), Jacksonville, Fla. Paul Soares was appointed new senior director, facilities development, tasked with directing the port’s marine and landside infrastructure development and coordinating engineering and construction operations, including all new construction and capital improvements. In addition, he will coordinate with federal, state and local agencies involved in the management and completion of JAXPORT’s major growth projects.Soares is a licensed professional engineer, specializing in construction and facilities management as well as contracting and conservation. Most recently, Soares served as the assistant superintendent of operations for Duval County Public Schools, where he oversaw a number of departments for the district, including transportation, maintenance, facilities construction, purchasing, risk management and logistics.
Flexible Packaging Association (FPA), Annapolis, Md. Dani Diehlmann waspromoted to director of communications, responsible for key FPA communications tools such as the website, the weekly Industry News Bulletin and press releases and overseeing the annual FPA Achievement Awards Competition. Diehlmann joined FPA in 2001 as an administrative assistant, and was most recently director of membership services, events and digital communications. International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), Washington, D.C. Heather Soubra was promoted to director, industry relations and special projects, tasked with creating and running a speakers bureau for IDFA subject matter experts, developing new marketing approaches, establishing a new direction for the NextGEN Dairy Network and the Legacy Club and facilitating collaboration with members, key stakeholders and others on initiatives that advance the mission of IDFA. Soubra joined IDFA in 2008 as executive assistant to Connie Tipton, president and CEO. Her most recent position was director of executive office and special projects.