December 7, 2023 - The five IFMA Foodservice Leadership Councils (FLCs) have just announced their leadership teams for 2024. The FLCs consist of 150+ operator individuals and represent the major segments of foodservice: Elementary & Secondary Schools, College & University, Business & Industry, Healthcare, and Restaurants.
Each FLC executive committee member is nominated by and voted on by council peers. The executive committees provide strategic direction and insight into the work the councils do throughout the year and help maintain each council charter.
The FLCs share insights, business best practices, and important issues facing their segments with one another and other IFMA members. The councils work collaboratively to suggest solutions to shared challenges. And effective January 1, in exchange for their dedication and service to the association, the operators that participate on these councils will be the first official operator members welcomed into IFMA’s new operator membership group.
“We rely on the insights of the FLCs,” explains IFMA President and CEO, Phil Kafarakis. “They bring the voice of the operator directly to IFMA’s membership. In 2023 they played an integral role in the development of our new strategic plan, Level Up 2027, and we look forward to working closely with them in 2024 and beyond – as full-fledged IFMA members – as we begin implementation of that plan.”
2024 FLC Executive Leadership
Elementary and Secondary Schools:
Chair: Whitney Ellersick, Portland (OR) Public Schools
Vice Chair: Alyssia Wright, Fulton County (GA) School Nutrition Program
Second Vice Chair: Danielle Bock, Greeley (CO) Public Schools
Past Chairs: Spencer Taylor, Metro Nashville Public Schools; and Jessica Shelly, Cincinnati Public Schools
Colleges & Universities:
Chair: Peter Testory, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Vice Chair: Betsy Helgesen, University of Minnesota-Duluth
Second Vice Chair: Jeff Palmer, UC San Diego
Past Chairs: Jill Horst, UC Santa Barbara; and Ken Toong, UMass Amherst
Business & Industry:
Chair: Daniel Cramer, CBRE@Credit Suisse (interim)
Vice Chair: vacant
Second Vice Chair: Bernice Radaideh, Bank of America
Past Chairs: Sharon Eliatamby, The World Bank Group; and Kristine Cotton, JLL
Healthcare:
Chair: Michael Vetro, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
Vice Chair: Tina Banning, Kettering Health
Second Vice Chair: Matt Tremblay, Northbridge Communities
Past Chairs: Julie Meddles, Ohio State Wexner Medical Center; and Tim Schoonmaker, Centra Health
Restaurants:
Chair: Aaron Weedy, Ledo Pizza System
Vice Chair: Phil Altieri, Buffalo Wings and Rings
Second Vice Chair: Rebecca Hurst, Cheesecake Factory
Past Chairs: Jeff Chandler, Hopdoddy Burger Bar; and Tom Hannon, Sky Chili Co-op
FLCs advise IFMA and its membership on how best to serve them through the development of toolkits, in webinar conversations, and through presentations at IFMA events. FLC leaders are also called upon to consult with the IFMA staff and board on major topics.
Recently, each FLC has produced a guidebook to support business relationships with their segments. Their work provides perspective on their particular challenges, giving clear direction and guidance on how best to partner and provide support. These comprehensive and exclusive resources are brand new and now available to IFMA members as a complimentary benefit of membership. See more.