JBS appoints interim president; George Weston, Gordon Food Service shuffle execs
ASSOCIATIONS/ORGANIZATIONS: Convenience Distribution Association (CDA), Scottsdale, Ariz. Susie Douglas Munson, chief operating officer of Douglas Cos., was elected as new chair for 2017. Munson, the first woman to hold the position in the association's history, follows in the footsteps of her father, the late Bob Douglas, who led the association, then known as the American Wholesale Marketers Association, in 2001. Munson has served in the convenience industry for over 26 years, dating back to May 1990.
National Restaurant Association, Washington, D.C. Deb Billow joins as executive vice president of marketing and member engagement, responsible for overseeing the strategy and execution of the association's key marketing, membership events and industry sponsorship initiatives. Billow was most recently president of GKIC, and served as chief customer officer for the American Marketing Association, where she engaged and grew member connectivity, increased profitability and provided targeted services, products and benefits for its 30,000 members. Billow began her marketing career in Fortune 500 firms, including Kraft Heinz, Kellogg and ConAgra Foods, followed by a transition to the small business community with leadership roles in privately owned, non-profit and private equity owned businesses. Steve Danon joins as senior vice president of communications, tasked with overseeing the association's media and digital communications efforts. Over his 2-decade career, Danon was partner and managing director of the Hudson Park Group and vice president of strategic communications at DDC. He was also chief of staff to Congressman Brian Bilbray (CA-50), vice president of Porter Novelli International, chief of staff to a San Diego County Supervisor and campaign manager for a Mayor of the seventh largest city in the United States.