FMI Announces Appointment of New Directors to its Board of Directors

Chula Vista, Calif. – Today, FMI - The Food Industry Association is proud to announce the appointment of several distinguished leaders to its Board of Directors at the association’s annual Midwinter Executive Conference. Representing a broad spectrum of expertise across retail, wholesale and product supply, these new directors bring strategic insight and industry leadership that will help guide FMI’s mission to advance food industry innovation, collaboration and consumer trust. 

FMI President and CEO Leslie G. Sarasin stated, “The food industry is witnessing a period of significant transformation and FMI is proud to welcome new Directors whose perspectives will help guide this change. Grounded in a people-first commitment to providing safe, nourishing food, these leaders bring the insight, courage and customer focus that will enhance FMI’s strategic vision.” 

FMI Chairman and H-E-B Senior Advisor Craig Boyan said, “The addition of new Directors from the retail and supplier communities strengthens our ability to champion innovation while keeping people and communities at the heart of our work. With gratitude to our outgoing leaders and confidence in our incoming Directors, we are well positioned to strengthen collaboration, confront common challenges and embrace positive change for the betterment of the industry and the shoppers we serve.” 

Executive Committee Officers: 

• Chairman, Craig Boyan, H-E-B, San Antonio, Texas
• President and CEO, Leslie G. Sarasin, FMI, Arlington, Va.
• Immediate Past Chairman, Brian George, Alex Lee, Inc., Hickory, N.C.
• Vice Chairman: Oscar Gonzalez, Northgate Gonzalez Market, Anaheim, Calif. 

New Directors: 

• Jason Buechel, Amazon.com, Inc., Seattle, WA
• John Foraker, Once Upon A Farm, Berkeley, CA
• Mark Griffin, B&R Stores, Inc., Lincoln, NE
• Lauren Redman, Newport Avenue Market/Rudy’s Markets Inc., Bend, OR 

Additionally, FMI added a number of new appointments in fall 2025 that are continuing their service on the Board of Directors. 

Fall 2025 Appointments: 

Retailer and Wholesaler 

• David Hinojosa, Chief Operating Officer, Vallarta Supermarkets – Valencia, CA
• Brian Johnson, Chief Executive Officer, The Fresh Market, Inc. – Greensboro, NC
• Atty McGrath, Chief Executive Officer, ALDI Inc. – Batavia, IL
• John Persons, President & Chief Executive Officer, Northeast Grocery Inc. – Schenectady, NY
• Dick Tracy, Chief Executive Officer, Dot Foods Inc. – Mt. Sterling, IL 

Product Supplier 

• Sunita Adams, General Manager, Beech-Nut Nutrition – Amsterdam, NY
• John Brase, President & Chief Operating Officer, The J.M. Smucker Company – Orrville, OH
• Jeffrey D. Hendrix, Chief Customer Officer, Bimbo Bakeries USA – Horsham, PA
• Wendy Hubbeling, Head of Commercial, Bumble Bee Foods LLC – San Diego, CA
• Dan Magliocco, President, Danone North America – White Plains, NY
• Vinit Patel, Chief Customer Development Officer, The Magnum Ice Cream Company (Unilever Ice Cream) – Englewood Cliffs, NJ
• Michael Pierson, Senior Vice President & Chief Customer Officer, Snacks, The Campbell’s Company – Camden, NJ
• Brian Williams, Senior Vice President, Procter & Gamble – Cincinnati, OH
• Josh Yates, Chief Customer Officer, General Mills Inc. – Golden Valley, MN 

These appointments reflect FMI’s commitment to fostering a diverse and dynamic leadership team that can address the evolving needs of the food industry. We look forward to the contributions of these accomplished professionals as we continue to shape the future of food retail and supply. 

A full member listing of FMI’s leadership can be found here.